Dave Corbeil and Allison Howard are planning to launch a community fridge and pantry in downtown Penticton. "We’ve had so much fun with our little library, so it’s kind of the food version of our little library," Howard said.

(DAN WALTON / iNFOnews.ca)

A Penticton couple wants to strengthen the local food security network by opening up a communal fridge and pantry in the city’s downtown.

Allison Howard and Dave Corbeil are planning to ensure free food is available around the clock for anyone who needs it.

“Every piece is essential and this is just another link in the chain,” Corbeil said. “It’s not meant to take the place of anybody.”

They’re hoping to build an eight-foot by four-foot structure in a central downtown location, and say a deal is in the works with the Elks Lodge on Ellis Street. However that is still pending approval from the service club’s board and a vote will take place on Feb. 16.

The building will have enough space for a fridge to preserve perishables on one side and a pantry for dry food on the other. There will be a heater to keep users warm in the winter and to prevent food in the fridge from freezing in sub-zero temperatures.

They want to ensure people use the structure for its intended purpose and don’t squat in it.

“You don’t want to make it too big,” Corbeil said. “There’s a very reasonable concern, you don’t want people to be able to fit in horizontally.”

READ MORE: Kelowna community fridge offers free food to those in need +

They’ve sent out letters of request to building supply companies. So far they have received a donation of lumber from Windsor Plywood and roofing materials.

“Now we just need the structure to build the roof on top of,” said Corbeil, who will be putting his skills as a carpenter to use on the project. The couple is hoping to connect with an electrician who would be willing to volunteer their time with them.

They are also reaching out for donations of insulation, hardware, and the fridge itself. They suspect the project will require a total of $2,000 to $2,500 worth of supplies.

Using the fridge and pantry will be completely on the honour system. It’s important to be located downtown to service the city’s homeless population with ready-to-go food 24 hours a day. However there will also be ingredients that require kitchen appliances to be prepared.

Anyone cooking late at night or early in the morning who realizes they are missing an ingredient can stop by and see if the community fridge and pantry has what they need if the grocery stores are closed.

Howard and Corbeil will be tending to the site every day to ensure it is kept tidy and full of food.

“I know a lot of people are concerned about what happens if people walk away with all the food or someone damages it,” Howard said. “And we really have to assume, if people take the food they need the food – it’s really just based on trust and faith.”

“It’s something you have to get past,” Howard said. “It might be frustrating when someone arrives with a big duffel bag and cleans it out, not leaving anything for other people. But we were told to just relax with that. Assume that person needs the food and have 10 people at home they’re feeding.”

The couple received mentorship from the team at the Lake Country Community Fridge. In that community, things that aren't meant to be given away like like brooms and bottles of hand sanitizer get taken anyway. Howard realizes that is likely to happen in Penticton too.

“You have to be prepared, you can’t let that ruin your life,” she said.

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Jackie Goode, founder of the Lake Country Community Fridge, said she’s happy to see her fridge so well used.

“There has also been some theft which is frustrating, but I try to focus on the positive,” Goode said in an email. “Although you may not see it, there are people in our communities that face food insecurity on a regular basis - individuals, couples, seniors and families with children. The help they receive from community fridges is often life changing and hugely impactful. If you’re able, I encourage you to leave what you can and if you’re in need, I encourage you to use this valuable resource.”

Howard and Corbeil have contacted food suppliers to ask for ongoing support in Penticton, and are encouraging those with more than they need to help keep the fridge and pantry stocked.

However, in order to abide by the Food Donor Encouragement Act, food donations must be in their original packaging, and any fresh food must be prepared in a commercial kitchen.

Howard said donations of other things like cleaning supplies, hygienic items and diapers would also be appreciated.

On Feb. 1 the couple presented their idea to city council and received their unanimous endorsement.

“If you can get ahold of me personally, offline, I'll see how I can help out personally,” Mayor John Vassilaki said.

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