APPLETON (WLUK) — A grassroots effort to fight hunger and food waste is growing. It’s making a difference in the Fox Valley.
A pair of volunteer run community fridges were unveiled in Appleton Wednesday.
The community fridges will provide free ready to eat meals, fresh food, and hygiene products to anyone who needs them.
“A lot of places require certain criteria in order to get people fed,” said Community Fridge Volunteer Madeleine Knowles Johnson. “And fridges like these offer a really low barrier to access, so that anyone can know where their next meal is coming from.”
A pair of volunteer run community fridges were unveiled in Appleton Wednesday, July 1st, 2026. (WLUK/Mike Moon)
One fridge can be found outside The Tardigrade’s Bookshelf on the 500 Block of North Richmond Street.
The second fridge is inside Ebb and Flow Connections Cooperative’s Community Living Room on West Harris Street.
“The fact that it’s open 24/7, 365 and that it’s entirely run by volunteers is something that separates it. And again, people don’t have to fill out any paperwork, or have any identification in order to get food,” said Knowles Johnson.
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The fridges are inspired by similar programs being run in Menasha and Oshkosh.
Dining and Cooking