by Veronica Wakefield
SCOOP Intern
SCOOP InternPHILADELPHIA, July 26, 2023—The Columbia North YMCA recently announced they were chosen to be a part of the Mama Tee Community Fridge Project, and on July 26, the YMCA had a grand opening for its community fridge.
The Mama Tee Community Fridge Project was established in 2020 to combat food insecurity. Their mission is to help anyone in need of food and to encourage others with a surplus of food to donate their extras. These fridges create a process wherein food from restaurants, grocery stores, and non-profits gets redirected to prevent waste of edible food; while also supporting people in need of a meal. Today, there are 18 Mama Tee Fridges around Philadelphia, assisting over 180,000 families in need, including the newest edition to the Mama Tee Project at YMCA North.
Food insecurity has become a major problem in the city of Philadelphia. According to the recent census, Philadelphia has a poverty rate of 23.1%, which is double the national average. North Philadelphia is known as a “food desert,” and it is harder to find affordable, quality, and fresh food n the area. “Food insecurity is not a homeless thing; it’s a people thing. It can happen to anyone,” says Dr. Michelle Nelson, Founder/Creative Director of Mama-Tee.
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