Dear Editor:

In a time when many families are feeling the pressure of rising grocery costs, one small but powerful resource continues to make a meaningful difference in our community: the Community Fridge supported by the Community Resource Council.

What sets this initiative apart is not only the food it provides, but the way it provides it.

The fridge is open 24 hours a day. There is no registration process, no forms to complete, and no one monitoring who takes what. A simple one-bag-per-person guideline is honored through trust alone. The only oversight is a Ring camera for basic security.

This format removes the stigma that often prevents families from seeking help. It allows individuals to access support privately, respectfully, and on their own terms.

Equally important, it allows the community to participate in giving. Donations of any size are welcome. A single can, a loaf of bread, or a full grocery bag — each contribution matters. The fridge becomes a shared space of both receiving and giving.

It also sends a message to our children. When they collect food through school drives, scout troops, or local clubs, they can see their efforts directly benefiting families in their own neighborhoods. They learn that community care is tangible and immediate.

The Community Fridge is more than a food resource. It is a quiet model of trust, dignity, and shared responsibility. It reflects the very best of who we strive to be as a community.

For that, the Community Resource Council deserves recognition and gratitude.

Elizabeth Hewitt

Boothbay Harbor