New grab-n-go food pop-ups to help bridge gap during temporary Friendly Fridge closure

Waimea community volunteers, led by Chef Stephen Rouelle, will begin grab-n-go food pop-ups Aug. 8 at Minukeʻole Park — next to Mana Christian ‘Ohana’s Kahilu Town Hall — to help fill the gap created by temporary closure of Friendly Fridge for relocation.

Food will be ready to eat and offered first come, first served from 1 to 3 p.m. each Saturday in August.

Friendly Fridge is a unique around-the-clock, easy-to-access food resource in Waimea replenished three times a day by volunteers and donors. It had to close at the end of July, and community volunteers are working to relocate it as soon as possible.

Other Waimea food distribution programs that continue uninterrupted:

• New Hope Christian Fellowship Church: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; sponsored by Kokua Christian Ministries.
• Free community meals: 4:30 to 6 p.m. every Thursday at St. James’ Episcopal Church.
• Monthly food distribution: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. fourth Tuesday; Annunciation Food Pantry, St. James’ Episcopal Church.

Friendly Fridge has been supported more than 3 years by generous community volunteers, businesses, farmers and ranchers.

The soaring cost of food, coupled with overall cost of living, housing shortage and challenges with applying for federally-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program assistance, caused a surge in demand for the Fridge to be refilled 3 times a day.

Several community businesses including KTA Super Stores, Starbucks and others also regularly contribute food. There also are several volunteer groups that gather once a month to cook a large number of meals for the Fridge, and Parker School has a student club that prepares meals weekdays during the school year.

Community members are encouraged to contribute safely-stored leftovers from family and sports events — portioned for 1 to 4 servings and labeled with content information and date.

Fresh produce is also welcome, including bananas, avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, etc.

Kokua is welcome to help sustain the food program and can be made as a tax-deductible donation by check to Kokua Christian Ministries, Box 231, Kamuela. Note on check that it’s for the Friendly Fridge.

“We are deeply grateful to all who have helped keep the Fridge “friendly” during challenging times,” said Donni Sheather of Waimea, who started Friendly Fridge. “We now welcome any help possible and, going forward once resituated, we welcome help preparing and/or donating meals for Waimea neighbors.”

Call Laurie Ainslie at 808-895-3056 for questions and to learn more.