Beasley neighbourhood community fridge looks for new home to meet high demand in Hamilton

Community Fridges (CF) HamOnt is looking for a new home for their Beasley neighbourhood fridge. 

CF HamOnt runs three fridges in the Gilkson, Beasley and Crown Point East neighbourhoods, that offer free groceries and essential toiletry items to the public. There is no limit to what community members can take from the fridges, and they are accessible 24/7. 

The Beasley fridge has been at John Street North and Barton Street, beside the Merit Brewing warehouse, since June 4, 2021. 

CF HamOnt founder Jacqueline Cantar said they want the fridge to remain in the Beasley neighbourhood, but they are looking for a more central location. 

Cantar said the Beasley fridge's current location makes it difficult to keep the fridge stocked, because it is in a high need neighbourhood and an area with few grocery retailers and low foot traffic, which makes it more difficult for community members and local businesses to donate. 

"I think people aren't reminded of it as often and there is a higher level of need, given the neighbourhood that it's in and the fact that there aren't businesses surrounding it," they said. 

"Visibility is important so that folks have the visual cue to show up for their community and donate," CF HamOnt co-ordinator Hayley Humenick said. 

CF HamOnt runs three of Hamilton's six community fridge and pantry initiatives, which all work to address the issue of food insecurity in Hamilton. 

Hamilton Food Share released their 2022 Hunger Report last month, which found that a staggering one in five Hamiltonians go hungry every day, and that "Hamilton has the second highest per capita food bank use in the province." 

The report found that the majority of people accessing food banks in Hamilton are elderly people, people living in single households — both two parent and single parent households with children —and people accessing disability or Ontario Works. 

The report showed that the number of elderly people accessing food banks has risen by 34 per cent over the past two years. Also, children make up 40 per cent of food bank users. 

According to the report, on an average day in Hamilton, around 780 people access food support services, like CF HamOnt. 

Humenick said the Beasley fridge has its own unique challenges as their only community fridge in downtown Hamilton. 

"It is challenging to get to a point where it's anywhere near enough just due to the level of need," they said.