Hope Community Fridge

**Mission Statement**

Hope Community Fridge mission is to alleviate food insecurity & reduce waste in our community by providing free, fresh, & local nutritious food as well as essential hygiene products through our community fridge. We aim to create a sustainable & accessible solution that addresses the root causes of food insecurity & waste. By fostering a sense of community, promoting collaboration, & empowering individuals, our neighbors can take control of their own health & well-being.

Decorative image reads; what is a community fridge?

A community fridge is a shared refrigerator that is typically placed in a public space, like on a sidewalk or at a community center. It is stocked with food, drinks, or hygiene items that are free for anyone in the community to take and enjoy. Script reads: Food sovereignty is intersectional.

The purpose of the community fridge is to reduce food waste, provide access to fresh nutritious food for those in need, and foster a sense of community by encouraging sharing and mutual support. It relies on donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations to keep it stocked and functioning

Anyone who wants to donate food or take from the fridge can do so, making them accessible to all members of the community in need. However, the specific rules and guidelines for each community fridge may vary, so its a good idea to check with organizers for more information.

Hope community fridge is open 24/7. Located at: Wesley Memorial UMC 6314 E Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga TN 37421 and at Leo's Specialty Kitchen and Home 3950 Brainerd Rd Chattanooga, TN 37411. Food and water are our right.

Decorative image that reads: How much food is allowed per person?

image reads: how much food is allowed per person? Our uplifting motto is "take what you need, leave what you don't."

How much food is allowed per person? We trust our patrons to take what they require without monitoring. We simply encourage everyone to be considerate of others and use the space with respect and mindfulness.

Hope Community Fridge; how much food is allowed per person? We gladly welcome individuals to take what they need, ensuring everyone's satisfaction and nourishment. Feel free to enjoy as much food as you desire!

How much food is allowed per person? We believe in promoting a worry-free and inclusive environment for all. By not enforcing a rule like "1 bag minimum," we ensure that everyone can freely enjoy the community fridge without any restrictions

image of the hope community fridge - picture shows fridge and pantry build next to a brick wall, stocked with food

About Hope Community Fridge

Hope Community Fridge is a mutual aid project located in Chattanooga, TN, that started in the summer of 2022. Inspired by her Tutu Mama Kathy's experiences growing up in Hawaii & the ongoing struggles of marginalized communities, our founder, Chaney Lanham, established the Hope Community Fridge to address food insecurity & waste in our community.

Our mission is to provide free, fresh, & nutritious food & essential hygiene products to those in need, while promoting environmental sustainability & social justice. We recognize that our food system is deeply intertwined with environmental issues, including climate change, pollution, & land degradation. The production, processing, and transportation of food contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, & biodiversity loss, while also exacerbating social & economic inequalities.

As a community fridge, we aim to promote a more sustainable and just food system by reducing food waste, supporting local, & regenerative agriculture. By rescuing surplus food from grocery stores & restaurants, we help prevent perfectly good food from ending up in landfills, where it would contribute to greenhouse gas emissions & other environmental problems.

We also support local farmers & food producers by prioritizing their products in our fridge, & by providing a platform for them to connect with the community. By doing so, we reduce the environmental impact of long-distance food transportation, promote a more resilient, & diverse food system.

At Hope Community Fridge, we are committed to creating a safe & inclusive space that promotes collaboration, respect, & empathy. We welcome all members of the community to donate food, hygiene products, or their time to help us in our mission to create a more sustainable, just, & equitable world.

Hope Community Fridge donation guidelines - image is decorative and reads "donation guidelines"

decorative image reads: check out our website for more information: https://linktr.ee/hopecommunityfridge also reads in script "solidarity not charity"

Donation Guidelines for Hope Community Fridge; Acceptable donations; fresh or frozen produce; these include fruits and vegetables that are unopened and still in good condition. Prepackaged, non-potentially hazardous foods (shelf-stable): These include baked goods, dry cereals, pasta, canned goods, or legumes.

Donation Guidelines for Hope Community Fridge; unacceptable donations; raw meat or fish, alcohol, open food, partially eaten food, unlabeled food, expired/moldy foods

Hope community fridge donation guidelines; acceptable; drinks; water, energy drinks, plant based milk, or juice. Hygiene products; menstruation products, paper towels, wet wipes, baby wipes, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, diapers, laundry detergent, or toilet paper

Donation Guidelines for Hope Community Fridge; Unacceptable Donations; Raw meat & fish; Raw meat is not accepted as it can easily spoil and contaminate other foods in the fridge. Alcohol; any kind of alcohol is not accepted.

Hope Community Fridge Donation Guidelines; Acceptable; Commercially packaged meals and snacks: frozen pizza, frozen dinners, granola bars, lunchables or fruit cups. Canned, dehydrated, or cooked meats; flavored tuna packets, canned chicken, hotdogs, or beef jerky.

Donation guidelines for hope community fridge; unacceptable; unlabeled food; food that does not have a label is not accepted as it can be difficult to determine its safety and expiration date. Without proper labeling, it can be difficult for people to know what ingredients are present in the food and whether its safe for them to consume. this can lead to serious allergic reactions and health complications

How to help HCF: Drop off food! Host a food drive. Clean the space. Volunteer your time and skills. Like and share posts. Complete a wellness checkin. Buy items off our wishlist. Buy a chi market "fill the fridge" produce box. Donate via B4CK

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