A new community fridge is coming to St. Paul's Centre next month.
The fridge, freezer, and pantry will be located outside the Peter Street North church in downtown Orillia where it can be accessed at any time on any day. It will be stocked with fresh and healthy food.
Orillia Community Fridge committee member Myles Odlozinski said he hopes the project will fill gaps left by local food banks.
"Food banks have limited hours," he said. "Sometimes, it's difficult (for some people) to walk into a food bank, check in, and show your I.D."
Odlozinski, a recent Orillia Secondary School graduate, says the community fridge aims to "break down barriers" and encourage community involvement.
"It's open for everybody to receive donations, but also donate," he said. "As long as it follows health guidelines, people can also donate whatever they want."
The motto of the fridge is "Take what you need, leave what you can."
The community fridge needs non-perishable food items, produce, and bread. Guidelines don't allow for meat, eggs, cheese, alcohol, or anything homemade, he explained.
"It has to be bought at a store and has to have an expiry date," Odlozinski explained.
Odlozinski, 17, is looking for community volunteers who could step up to ensure the success of the project.
"The fridge needs to be checked for its food daily to make sure guidelines are being followed," he said. "Also, the fridge needs to be cleaned daily."
Those who would like to volunteer can reach Odlozinski at [email protected].
"It will only take 15 minutes of your day and you can do it when it fits your schedule," he said. "It can help make some positive change."
Other community fridge projects can be found in Innisfil, Newmarket, Alliston, and other nearby communities.
"Hearing about the success of those, I thought this would be a great thing to bring to Orillia," said Odlozinski, who pitched the idea to city council in June of 2022. "There are so many people struggling and it's not just those who don't have a place to live."
Odlozinski hopes the fridge will help students, elderly people, and families.
"A lot of people just need a couple of items for free," he said. "If we can make a change and even help someone a little bit it will be worth it."
The Orillia Community Fridge project has been a "true community" initiative, Odlozinski says. Home Hardware supplied building supplies, Housser's Paint and Wallpaper donated painting supplies, Stephanie Whalen lent her artistic design talents to the project, and Mike Gough provided contracting services. The Brick and Northern Performance Windows also contributed to the project.
If you would like to donate to the project, cheques with Orillia Community Fridge in the memo line can be directed to St. Paul's United Church. Cheques can be dropped off at the church or sent by mail to 62 Peter St., N., Orillia, ON L3V 4Z1.
Online donations can be made to St. Paul's United Church, Community Fridge, through Canada Helps.
