The Community Fridge Project

The Community Fridge Project is a network of fridges and pantries dedicated to addressing food insecurity. It is a volunteer-run effort that builds on and continues a project originally launched by The Suburban Unity Alliance. In 2025, the Community of Congregations assumed oversight of this endeavor with the vision of establishing locations throughout Oak Park, River Forest, and Austin.

How It Works

• Local volunteers stock, clean, and maintain fridges; donations help cover food, supplies, and maintenance.
• Take what you need, anytime — 24/7, no paperwork, no judgement.
• Leave what you can — extra groceries, pantry items, unopened meals, or essentials.

How You Can Help

• Donate – Help keep fridges stocked with fresh food, supplies, and safe equipment.

• Volunteer – One hour or more: stocking, cleaning, shopping, pickups — every bit helps.

• Share Food – Got extra groceries? Drop them at any Community Fridge Project location.

Community Fridge Schedule

• Monday: Sack Lunch Program / Happy Apple Pie Shop (Commercial Kitchen)
• Tuesday: Fresh Produce from Austin Harvest
• Wednesday: Fresh Produce from Austin Harvest
• Thursday: Fresh Produce from Austin Harvest/ Tovala meals from Project 229
• Friday: Fresh Produce donated by Austin Harvest and Tovala from Project 229
• Saturday: Fresh Produce donated by Austin Harvest and Tovala from Project 229

Current Partnerships

• All eight D97 Elementary Schools will participate in a non-perishable food drive for two weeks each during the 2025-2026 school year
• Food drives planned with D200, Fenwick, St. Giles/Ascension, Alcuin Montessori, and Brooks Middle School
• Weekly food donations from Austin Harvest
• Multiple Oak Park congregations host regular non-perishable food drives
• In conversation with Takeout25 for restaurant involvement in making prepared meals

Fundraising Updates

• Individual donations: over $4,000 raised since April 2025
• Veggie Bingo at Robert’s Westside
• Initial meeting: Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

For More Info

Please contact us at communityfridgeproject@gmail.com.