Free 'Community Fridge' Program In Newark Gets Boost From NJ Devils

NEWARK, NJ — A popular “free community refrigerator” project in Newark recently got a big financial boost from the charitable arm of the New Jersey Devils and the Prudential Center.

The United Community Corporation (UCC) launched its community fridge program in January 2022, seeking to help local residents who can’t afford groceries amid skyrocketing inflation and other economic struggles. The refrigerators – each located outside – are open to the public and provide around-the-clock access to crucial items like milk, juice, cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Unsurprisingly, they’ve been a big hit, the nonprofit says.

The initiative has grown since the first refrigerator was installed at 106 Ann Street in the city’s East Ward; free community fridges can now be found at South 8th Street, Avon Avenue Elementary School and La Casa de Don Pedro’s Broadway location.

Now – with the help of a $100,000 grant from the Devils Youth Foundation – the UCC is launching a new refrigerator at its Fulton Street Emergency Shelter, located in the Newark’s Central Ward. That will bring the total to five – one for each ward of the city.

The foundation raised an additional $80,000 through the first round of the NHL playoffs for another community refrigerator, and $60,000 through the second round of the playoffs for a food delivery truck. These efforts brought a total of $240,000 in funding to back UCC’s in its goal to mitigate hunger in the Greater Newark area, the nonprofit said.

The funds from the Devils Youth Foundation will also support UCC’s plans to provide cooking and nutrition workshops for at least 50 low-income youth at the agency’s West Side Park Community Center.

Food insecurity is an issue that reaches each of Newark’s five wards, the UCC pointed out. Last year, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority designated large swaths of the city as “food deserts,” meaning that they have limited access to healthy and affordable groceries.

“By providing access to healthy food, we want to empower individuals to control their health and well-being,” UCC Executive Director Craig Mainor said.

“Through our programming, we hope to inspire lifelong habits that support a healthy lifestyle and help to prevent chronic diseases,” Mainor said.

“We recognize the great efforts of the United Community Corporation, and are thankful for the opportunity to partner with them for the Community Fridge Campaign and other educational initiatives that reach youth and their families throughout Newark,” said Kate Whitman Annis, executive director of the Devils Youth Foundation.

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