First Marlborough 'Free Fridge' Opens At Immaculate Conception Church

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough's first community refrigerator opened Sunday at Immaculate Conception Church, an effort by a local Girl Scout and other community boosters to help alleviate food insecurity.

The free-fridge movement took off in Massachusetts during the pandemic, with iterations across Worcester, Newton, Cambridge and Shrewsbury. Anyone can donate by leaving food in the fridge, and anyone can take food from the fridge as needed. Marlborough's version has been dubbed the "Friends Fridge."

The solar-powered fridge was purchased in part with a grant from the Marlborough Cultural Council, and was a collaboration between local Girl Scout Katelyn Massey, the Rotary Club of Marlborough, the Brigham Family Trust and Marlborough Makers.

"The idea of the Friend Fridge was inspired by other communities that had successfully implemented this concept to help alleviate food shortages," Massey said in a news release. "Through extensive research and careful consideration, this was identified as the ideal solution to reduce food insecurity in Marlborough by fostering community collaboration. I take pride in this being my Gold Award project, and I'm even prouder to be involved in it."

The fridge will be taken care of by the Rotary and other community members, including cleanings and maintenance. The volunteers will also help stock the fridge with donations.

Backers of the fridge hope it will alleviate overburdened local food banks, and help reduce food insecurity, which is on the rise. Census figures show food insecurity in Massachusetts peaked near 20 percent in May 2020, but was back up to near 18 percent this winter after dropping to about 11 percent in 2021, according to Project Bread.

"Food banks and pantries are overwhelmed, costs are still soaring," said Marlborough Rotary member and recreation commissioner Mark Vital. "We have an opportunity to help our neighbors in a meaningful way. This is what community is all about; we help when and how we can, and hope to lift each other up when times are hard."

If you want to visit the fridge to either get food or donate, it's located alongside the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St. Find guidelines for donating and using the fridge on the Marlborough MA Friends Fridge Facebook page.