A community fridge in Halifax that is used and stocked anonymously by local citizens is in need of donations due to growing demand.

Founded a year ago by students and recent grads, the fridge is located outside the Glitter Bean Café off Spring Garden Road. Keeping it filled is increasingly difficult, said board member and spokesperson Rhyan Schennery.

“Over the last year, we have noticed increased need for the fridge due to the rising costs of everything, especially food and hygiene products that families are struggling to afford,” he said in an interview.

“Never having enough is the issue, $200 worth of groceries can be gone within a few hours.”

The founders got the idea for the fridge after seeing a piece on a Vancouver community fridge on TikTok. (In HRM, there are also community fridges in Dartmouth and Fairview.)

The idea is especially effective because community fridges provide barrier-free access to users who can use the fridge anonymously seven days a week, Schennery said.

The Halifax fridge is stocked by a board of 12, working as a mutual aid society, and a team of around 30 volunteers who shop and clean the fridge. Food is also provided by partner groups such as Dalhousie Student Union, Parker Street Food Bank, LF Bakery and Noggins.

The volunteers are boosting awareness on social media and through fundraisers. The next fundraiser is a SPINCO class at 620 Nine Mile Drive, Bedford on February 24 at 5.30pm, with participation based on a cash donation.

Organizers are grateful for food and cash donations, or e-transfers can be made to: communityfridgeHFX@gmail.com.