Nov 20th, 2024

Partner Spotlight: Community Fridge and Pantry Re-opens in Centretown 

On November 20, we re-opened the Public Foods Pantry and Community Fridge doors. Located at MacLaren Towers, the pantry operates on a simple principle: take what you need, leave what you can. It is available for all residents of Centretown.  

“When you’re worried about being unable to put food on the table, nothing else matters,” said Brian Gilligan, Chief Community and Tenant Support for OCH. Thanks to Public Foods and the others who supported this innovative initiative. This helps address food security and provides access to help with dignity. We are pleased to see the pantry up and running again.”   

Built in 2022, thanks to Carleton University School of Architecture students, the pantry has become a vital community resource. Unfortunately, a fire in May temporarily closed it. Since then, the community has rallied to restore it. 

Thanks to volunteers from Public Foods, stakeholders from Carleton University and local contractors Bassi Construction, PuroClean, Xpertek Construction, Imperial Electric, and others from the community have generously helped to keep food donations coming to the community and repair the damage to the structure.    

The rising cost of groceries and other necessities has made this resource more important than ever.  

“The pantry is a thoughtful and innovative solution to food insecurity,” said Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer, OCH. The damage to this vital community resource was devastating. However, thanks to stakeholders and community partners, vulnerable residents in Centretown will have the support they need.”