Islanders split on the future of a Charlottetown community fridge

A public meeting Wednesday night heard from some living near a community fridge in Charlottetown who say it is causing issues in the community, and others who think it is a valuable resource to vulnerable Islanders.

More than 40 people attended the meeting at Charlottetown City Hall to give their thoughts on the community fridge, which sits in the parking lot of the Parkdale-Sherwood Lions Club on Valley Street.

Seven people, several of whom live close to the fridge, spoke suggesting changes to the way the fridge runs, or for it to be moved. Six people from Charlottetown and other areas of the province spoke in favour of the fridge existing and operating as is.

The fridge has been operating for close to three years, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The operators, 4 Love 4 Care, were told by previous planning and heritage administration at city hall that they didn't need a site exemption. After a complaint filed on Jan. 25 concerning the cleanliness of the area around the fridge it was discovered the operators do need a site-specific exemption to keep the service running.

Jillian MacKeeman lives right next to the community fridge. While it has been helpful in supporting some members of the community, she said there have been issues.

"One major concern is the increase of drug-related activities near the fridge," MacKeeman told city councillors.

"Unfortunately, its presence has attracted people involved in substance abuse leading to loitering, drug dealing and drug use in public areas."

Children at a daycare program have witnessed those activities, she said.

"It's worrying for our neighbourhood, especially with homes and this childcare centre nearby. It makes all of us residents feel uneasy and affects our sense of safety. The fridge itself has been a focal point of these activities which goes against its original purpose of being a positive community initiative," MacKeeman said, adding she is for improving food insecurity, but doesn't want to see it happen at the expense of people's safety.

A 15-year-old Charlottetown resident spoke at the meeting. She said while walking down the street those loitering near the fridge made lewd sexual comments and violent threats.

Others spoke about property damage, public urination, discarded needles, feeling threatened and increased litter in the area. No one was calling for the fridge to shut down completely, but many suggested it change how it operates by limiting hours and having someone on site at all times to provide access to the fridge or it be relocated from the area.

Others at the meeting said the fridge having a no-questions-asked model with around the clock access cuts out stigma for some struggling to feed themselves.

"I live close to the fridge and I often go there to donate food. My experience includes meeting a senior who came to the fridge, even though there was a fridge in his community, because of the stigma attached," said Pauline Howard of the P.E.I. Food Exchange.

Howard agreed there have been issues, but said operators and volunteers are addressing them.