Some big changes have happened this week or so. In short, the Kelowna Community Fridge 24/7 shed has been removed from Burke Hair Lounge, and we do not yet have a next host. The Market at Burke Hair Lounge, weekly on Wednesdays from roughly 12-3, are continuing as a branch of local food sharing with their own financial and planning teams – keep an eye out for their social media links for more details!
We have worked hard together to keep this food sharing going, and need to regroup so that everyone can give efforts that work well for them – together creating more sustainable ways to continue. Mutual aid should happen in ways that honor everyone involved, their abilities and the rest of their lives. There will be open discussion meetings Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 5:30-8:30pm, and Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 11am-2pm and 5:30-8:30pm – please email kelownacommunityfridge@gmail.com for the link to join!
Over the past several years, there has been a lot of amazing, even life changing action on a daily basis through the Community Fridge – but this collective has been lacking in distinct organization and coordination structures. This has been draining and stressful for people involved at all levels – from volunteers burning out from taking on tasks without enough team support, to hosts saddled with more cleaning and maintenance than is fair or reasonable, to organizers taking on too many roles to be sustainable, to the people who rely on the Fridge not being able to trust where or how this food sharing is continuing.
The decision to regroup was not made lightly, and we regret the current lack of a 24/7 food exchange place. Once we have reorganized and find a new home for the Fridge, we hope everything will run more smoothly and be even more help than before.
Thank you all for the many, many ways you have shared in community care through KCF. Hundreds and hundreds of people have shared how this exercise in abundance has changed their lives, and there has been a lot of difference made through everyone’s efforts in this organization. We appreciate all the donations we have received, and can’t thank you enough for all the ways you have been involved.
We do not have a 24/7 place to take donations at this time – we encourage you to reach out to your neighbors and other people around you to share in food and mutual aid on a daily basis. Well tended connections keep us safe – we hope to get a new Fridge/Pantry up where people can share in abundance again. You can also continue to give what you can and take what you need Wednesdays from 12-3 at Burke Hair Lounge‘s The Market!
-Ollie
Kelowna Community Fridge 