Community refrigerator program expands to Dover

Community refrigerator program expands to Dover

There is a community fridge in Dover! It has been placed outside the Westside Family Healthcare Clinic.

The fridge is operated by a local organization called Planting to Feed. They are a non profit based in Wilmington. Planting to Feed already operates four community refrigerators in Wilmington, all placed at community centers in neighborhoods with limited food access.

According to DelawarePublic.org, Planting to Feed founder Jessica Westcott says her organization intentionally avoids collecting data on who uses the fridges.

Wescott also says as the program expands into rural Delaware, finding existing community centers that are frequented by those who are food insecure, is vital. "We try to attach ourselves to a community center – where people are going. We don’t try to come up with new locations," she said. "Instead of creating additional barriers to get where they need to go, let’s go to where they are.”

The rise of food cost is on the horizon. Many community members are finding themselves once again managing their budget a little tighter or wondering where their next meal will come from.

However, there are amazing organizations within our local community that are keeping their finger on the pulse and always looking for ways to help.

The Food Bank of Delaware has already started advertising their Thanksgiving food drive early while still managing to host mobile food drives for those in need.

This new community fridge will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People are encouraged to donate if possible, by adding unused items to the fridge. It is located at 1020 Forrest Avenue in Dover.

The fridge is operating on the honor system. Anyone who finds themselves in a position where they are looking for their next meal or are maybe short on groceries for the day, can visit the fridge and grab what they need.

The hope is to ease financial burden on the local community as the Community refrigerator program expands to Dover.