Burnaby's network of community fridges has expanded again.
The Burnaby Primary Care Networks has added a third location that became operational at Tian Jin Temple on Saturday (Aug. 6) — located at 3426 Smith Ave.
It includes a sheltered pantry space and the program is encouraging additional donations including toiletries, diapers and period products, as well as rice and cooking oil.
The initiative began in June 2021, when a community fridge was placed outside the Burnaby Youth Hub (4750 Imperial St.) in Metrotown.
A second opened in October last year at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in the Student Union Building next to the kitchenette, south of Freedom Square between the Diamond Family Auditorium and the Academic Quadrangle.
"It is a place for people in our neighbourhoods to give and take, to reduce waste and feed their children better," said an earlier news release from the Burnaby Primary Care Networks.
"It builds and enhances our food security in Burnaby."
The fridges are available for anyone who wants to take food from it. They are not policed to see who is taking food or how much.
"In Burnaby, we have a robust network that supports with an ongoing need for food, with Food Hubs actively working to support families and individuals across the city," the release added.
"But we already know that it sometimes isn’t enough, and we also know that there an awful lot of people in the city who are underfed but aren’t able or willing to reach out for help.
"Often these are our most vulnerable seniors, newcomers, and young families – sometimes it’s people who working hard to become more stable and find that they just need a bit of help to get through a week and to feed their children."
Items accepted include:
- Fresh produce
- Dairy
- Bread
- Grab-and-Go foods
- Pantry items
- Prepared meals (made in a commercial kitchen)
Items not accepted are as follows:
- Expired food
- Rotting food
- Home cooked food
- Open packages of food
- Leftovers
- Clothing or housewares
