Help Build a Community Fridge & Period Pantry - Reisterstown

My name is Alessa and I live in Reisterstown. I host the area's oldest Little Free Library at my home in Chartley. I am looking to add a Community Fridge and a Period Pantry to my family's outreach efforts. I am raising funds to pay for the building and installation of this community outreach project.

What is a Community Fridge?

Community Fridges are a growing trend of mutual aid. Businesses and individual home owners host small to full-size refrigerators on their property. The fridges are stocked with food donated by area businesses and neighbors. Neighbors and community members in need can help themselves to meals and food items, as needed. Currently, Baltimore hosts 10 Community Fridges. This project would be the first in Reisterstown.

NOTE: The Community Fridges pictured above were created through the hard work and financing of other Baltimore-based individuals and groups. The Reisterstown Community Fridge and Period Pantry will have its own unique look.

What is a Period Pantry?

Reproductive Justice Maryland , a statewide nonprofit focused on the healthcare needs and rights of women, helps communities provide free access to menstrual products. Based on the same concept as Little Free Libraries, take-what-you-need Period Pantries are stocked with an assortment of feminine hygiene products for those who cannot afford them on their own. I am thrilled to be partnering with RJM, whose membership support will help to stock the Reisterstown Period Pantry.

Who Can Access These Resources?

Anyone in need can freely help themselves to the available items. That includes students walking home from school - older neighbors on a fixed retirement income - single parents - folks working but struggling to make ends meet - folks not currently working. As a community resource, the fridge and period products will be available 24/7, no questions asked.

Where Will the Community Fridge and Period Pantry Be Located?

The fridge and pantry will be located 2 doors up from the intersection of Glyndon Drive and Shirley Manor Rd. It will be erected on private property but fully accessible to anyone on the sidewalk. My home is situated in the walking zone from the local elementary, middle, and high school. I am 3 blocks away from an apartment complex that is home to a number of subsidized housing families.

Why Do You Need Money?

Funds are needed to pay for:

ADDED on 5/15:

While we have an older model, larger-sized mini fridge to use, our hope is to be able to afford a small industrial outdoor fridge, designed to withstand hot and freezing temperatures. This is an added-expense beyond our initial fundraising goal of $1,000.

Who Else is Helping With This Project?

I currently have 7 community members who are enthusiastically waiting to help keep the Community Fridge stocked and cleaned. I have started talking with local businesses to recruit ongoing food donations. A local community member has volunteered their time to build the fridge and pantry structure. Most importantly, I am connected with the Bmore Community Fridge Network . Their founding members have provided essential technical knowledge and support for getting this project off the ground.

More volunteers are warmly welcomed to help with this project. Of course, if a local, licensed electrician would like to volunteer their time to help with the electrical work, that would help reduce our fundraising goal and allow us to get the Community Fridge up and running sooner.

What About the Law?

The State of Maryland has existing Good Samaritan laws that protect businesses and volunteers from liability relating to food donated in good faith. Read more at: Maryland Department of the Environment Food Donation brochure.

Baltimore County's Zoning Office has confirmed that the Community Fridge and Period Pantry does not require a permit to be placed on residential property. An electrical permit, which we will obtain, is required for an underground line to be extended from the house.

More About Alessa

I have lived in Reisterstown since 1996. As a Quaker, I have volunteered decades supporting local, statewide, and national social justice causes. In 2018, I organized community members to build and launch a Little Free Library for Reisterstown. Volunteers stepped up to donate time, resources, and $$ to build, install, and stock the LFL. My hope is to bring together community support, once again, for the Community Fridge and Period Pantry project.

Top Photo Credit: Volunteers from the Bmore Community Fridge Network

Bottom Photo Credit: Alessa and a photo of her Little Free Library