Save Space | ecoWURD | radio

“The People’s Fridge” co-Founders and sisters Sonia and Sonam Parikh  joined ecoWURD radio on WURD’s Save Space with Sincerely Syreeta to talk more about the inspiration behind and the need for community fridges in underserved Philadelphia neighborhoods struggling with food insecurity. The People’s Fridge is their project based on 52nd Street in West Philly (more on Instagram @thefridgeon52nd), the first of what they plan will be many in the future.

“This is a clean, sanitized, community refrigerator open 24/7 that anyone can use, no questions asked,” said Sonia Parikh. “The culmination of work from many hands.”

“In early March our Dad fell victim to COVID, and then our Mom fell sick. People told us stories about how our Dad used to drop off groceries at their homes and we really had no idea,” said Sonam Parikh “We needed to think of a project we could focus on. Through a meal share, we were inspired to figure out a way to help out our community the best way we know how – and that was feeding people.”

There are numerous community fridges around Philadelphia, and the phenomenon of providing access to free food has been growing during pandemic, including the list below …

• 1229 S 6th Street Philadelphia, PA (South Philly)
• 1901 S 9th Street Philadelphia, PA (South Philly)
• 20 West Armat Street Philadelphia, PA (Germantown)
• 511 S 52nd Street Philadelphia PA (West Philly)
• 635 W Girard Ave Philadelphia PA (Northern Liberties at Ambassador)
• 2400 Coral Street Philadelphia PA (Kensington at Franny Lou’s Porch)
• 915 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia PA (Northern Liberties at Triple Bottom Brewing)
• 2821 W Girard Ave Philadelphia PA (Brewerytown at SPOT Burgers)
• 312 N 39th Street Philadelphia PA (University City)
• 1255 E Palmer Street Philadelphia PA (Fishtown at Castellinos)
• 1180 Ludlow Street Philadelphia PA (Center City at Canopy Hotel)

There is a need for it as food insecurity rates in Philadelphia are among the highest in the nation …