Summerside Community Fridge founder ‘heartbroken and frustrated’ after fire
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SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The founding father of the Summerside Community Fridge mission says her staff of volunteers is “heartbroken and pissed off” after the free meals initiative was lately broken by hearth.
On the evening of Feb. 11, Summerside Firefighters responded to a blaze on the fridge, situated in a municipally owned car parking zone on the nook of Granville and Foundry streets.
The group fridge is constructed right into a small shed and whereas the construction was saved earlier than the hearth grew to become catastrophic, the service is on maintain till repairs might be made. Residents are requested to keep away from the constructing till additional discover.
Johlene Clow helped lead a group effort final 12 months to get the fridge constructed. It formally opened in November 2022.
“It is a setback for certain and makes it arduous for us to assist these in want,” stated Clow.
She added that as of Feb. 13, she had not been knowledgeable of an official reason behind the hearth, although she did say {an electrical} hearth had been dominated out. The incident continues to be underneath investigation.
The group fridge offers an area the place donations, together with perishables, might be dropped off and picked up by anybody at no cost. The service has confirmed standard with each donors and people within the metropolis who’re meals insecure.
However its recognition has additionally induced points.
Organizers have reported incidents of individuals taking the free meals from the fridge solely to promote it elsewhere.
Some individuals have additionally been loitering across the fridge with a view to get first entry to donation drop-offs, which has resulted in donors, in some circumstances, handing over objects on to purchasers. These sorts of conditions defeat the aim of the fridge which is meant to encourage anonymity and make those that is likely to be hesitant of asking for assist comfy sufficient to entry its sources.
There have additionally been just a few incidents of vandalism.
Previous to the hearth, Summerside metropolis council, at Clow’s request, had began a dialogue as as to whether the fridge needs to be moved to a brand new location. The group fridge will not be a municipal mission, however the metropolis has been contributing sources to its creation and ongoing repairs. It hosts the constructing free of charge on its lot and pays for its energy invoice.
Mayor Dan Kutcher lately up to date council on the continuing points and conveyed a request to maneuver the fridge from its present location. Kutcher didn’t specify any specific alternate location, solely that the request was for it to be a well-lit house, with restricted parking to discourage loitering.
“The best way that is purported to work is persons are supposed to return up, get what they want, or drop off what they’re delivering to any person and go about their day,” stated Kutcher.
One potential location that had been mentioned was nearer to the Summerside Police Providers places of work on Foundry Avenue, however that choice comes with its personal set of challenges.
Parking is restricted within the space round Summerside Metropolis Corridor, Fireplace Station 1 and the police headquarters. In emergencies when firefighters want to reply to the hearth corridor, most of these areas are wanted for his or her private automobiles.
Coun. Barb Ramsay, council’s liaison with hearth and police companies, additionally questioned if it needs to be the duty of the police to actively monitor the fridge.
“Our police companies are very very busy as everyone knows, and for them to watch that fridge – would actually not be their place as a result of there’s a lot extra occurring within the metropolis,” stated Ramsay. “I don’t know if that’s the answer.”
There have been additionally some considerations expressed as as to whether having the fridge in shut proximity to the police station would deter some individuals from utilizing it.
However Clow stated her staff feels that relocating the fridge to the block across the hearth corridor, metropolis corridor and police station could be very best.
“Though the hearth could possibly be dominated an accident, I’m nonetheless pushing for the relocation,” she stated.
“Many seniors and younger households don’t really feel secure going the place it’s now, proper out within the open on a essential street – each for privateness and safety causes. The sq. surrounding metropolis corridor, hearth corridor (and) police station is a safer and friendlier atmosphere for these utilizing the fridge.”
By the top of council’s dialogue, it was determined that councillors and employees would organize a gathering with Clow and the fridge’s supporters and report again on the March committee of council assembly.
Regardless of this setback and the challenges they’ve confronted, Clow stated she and the numerous volunteers who’ve labored along with her will proceed their work of enhancing meals safety for town.
“Our plans are undecided at the moment, however we will certainly be again to serving to individuals as quickly as we will.”
Colin MacLean is a reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He might be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @JournalPMacLean.
