Yorkton Community Fridge Officially Opens

Yorkton Community Fridge, located in the parking lot of SIGN on Broadway,
has been in operation for the past several weeks. While located at
SIGN, it is a project initiated and maintained by a group of community
volunteers who want to provide a grassroots response to food insecurity in Yorkton.
The enclosed space housing the fridge also includes shelves for dry goods and other family needs, with
the hope that people will take what they need, and leave what they can. The area is open to anyone 24
hours a day, every day, for both those needing food supplies and those wishing to make donations.
Like other community fridges which have sprung up across the country and in the US, the Yorkton
Community Fridge is a mutual aid project operated entirely by volunteers who encourage food to be
shared within the community.
Unlike traditional food banks or pantries, everyone is encouraged to put food in and take food out
without limit. Use of the Fridge is not monitored, and who takes food and how much is not tracked,
which helps remove any stigma from its use. Free food is available to anyone who needs it.
Food in community fridges is primarily donated by individuals, food rescue organizations, and businesses
like grocery stores. Individuals, organizations and businesses wishing to donate to the Community Fridge
may do so anytime by placing the donated items in the fridge, freezer, or on the shelves.
For safety reasons, only the following are acceptable donations:
 Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
 Dry goods
 Canned foods
 Dairy and eggs
 Store-bought bread products
 Hygiene products
 Diapers/baby wipes/formula
 Cleaning products
 Prepared meals and cooked meat made in a licensed kitchen by someone with a Food Safe
certificate and labeled with facility name, date, and ingredients.
Also for safety reasons, the Community Fridge cannot accept the following:
 Home canning
 Homemade food
 Raw meat and seafood (including both fresh and frozen)
 Dented, damaged or opened packages
 Expired or moldy foods
 Alcohol
 Medications
 Toys, clothing and housewares
The Community Fridge is not a SIGN program, but appreciates being able to house the Fridge on the
SIGN parking lot on West Broadway.
The mutual aid volunteer group looking after the Community Fridge welcomes volunteers who want to
assist with various jobs related to the project. Those interested in volunteering, donating, using the
Fridge and who have questions may contact communityfridgeyorkton@gmail.com, or through social
media @yorktoncommunityfridge.

(Yorkton Community Fridge news release)