"No judgements, no shame, we just feed people," Community Resource Council Director of Operations Holly Stover explained about the Community Fridge located behind the Boothbay town office. The help yourself pantry opened in October 2022 and has been providing healthy food at all hours to anyone who needs it, thanks to contributions from across our peninsula.

Asked how the idea for the Fridge originated, Stover told the Register that about a year before it opened, CRC and Boothbay Harbor Rotary were interested in learning more about food insecurity and how people here access food. The two organizations teamed and Rotary funded a survey conducted by USM to interview community members about access to food. Rotary also funded "Thank you" gift cards from Hannaford for respondents.

Hannah Corkum, CRC's Community Navigator, gathered the survey responses, giving them to Rotary which, in turn, gave data to USM for analysis. The resulting report prompted other discussions within CRC, Stover explained.

The survey and discussions following showed that those in need of food want access to it when they need it, without stigma or judgement.

Looking for a solution in 2021, CRC found two Maine towns with community fridges: Kittery and Skowhegan. Talking with groups operating the other fridges, CRC learned about the philosophy behind the concept: Take what you need; give what you can.

This led to the CRC creating what Stover said is the guiding principle for the Fridge here. "We set out to feed people," she said. "People need to know there are always places to go if you are hungry."

"The Boothbay Region Food Pantry is the food hub for the region," Stover said. "The Community Fridge was never designed to replace it." She said CRC wanted to create a place where people could go during non-traditional hours because not everyone can leave work or make other arrangements to visit the Food Pantry.

CRC reached out to Boothbay town officials, who agreed to support the Fridge by providing space for a shed behind the town office and paying for the electricity. After a few tweaks, the Fridge opened a little over two years ago.

Stover said the one thing they wanted most was community involvement and, without any advertising, the CRC's wish was granted. On average, the Fridge is visited at least 15 times each day with over 100 visits per week, she estimated.

"The response has been overwhelmingly positive," Stover said. Individuals and organizations across the region have adopted the Fridge and donations of food come from the business community, the hospitality community, churches and individual residents.

"Soup groups" make soup for the fridge and other groups make meals for the freezer. The Food Pantry brings leftover food to the Fridge on Fridays after they close. Restaurants and homeowners bring their remaining food when they close up for the season. Schoolchildren collect items for the Fridge, with two busloads of pre-K through second grade Boothbay Region Elementary School students bringing canned goods shortly before last Thanksgiving.

"Food insecurity is everyone's issue," Stover said. "If everyone gave something, everyone would benefit. We are so grateful for everyone who gives."

The Community Fridge is open 24/7 for donations of food, including pet food. Homemade items must be labeled with a date and allergens. The program does not allow fish, soda, or expired items. Raw meat is pemitted in the freezer.

And to make donating even easier, the program's website posts an Amazon wish list to purchase food items that will be shipped to CRC. For more information about the Community Fridge, contact Holly Stover at 350-7477.