‘COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS’
Capital Roots, Free Food Albany provide food to new fridge in Mechanicville
Capital Roots facilitated the acquisition of a new refrigerator, painted by local artist Sion Hardy, that was installed at the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center (MACSC).
According to a press release, the fridge is operated by and stocked with nutritious food by Free Food Fridge Albany and weekly deliveries of fresh, local produce from Capital Roots.
This project was made possible by a grant from the New York State Department of Health — Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC), the release said. As the very first Free Food Fridge in the City of Mechanicville, it will help individuals and families facing food challenges access the quality, nutritious foods they deserve around the clock.
“MACSC is incredibly proud to work with Capital Roots and Free Fridge Albany to not only become the first free fridge in Mechanicville but also finally have a refrigerated outdoor space to house donated perishables that community members can access at their own convenience,” Meghan Quillinan, Executive Director of Mechanicville ACSC, said in the release. “We are thrilled to partner with all who made this happen!”
“We are expanding our long-standing relationship with MACSC and starting a new collaboration with Free Food Fridge Albany to provide a new means of fresh food access for the city of Mechanicville,” Amy Klein, CEO at Capital Roots, said in the release. “The CHSC funding continues to allow our Healthy Communities team to expand our reach and community partnerships in new and exciting ways.”
“Free Food Fridge Albany is elated to partner with MACSC through Capital Roots,” Jammella Anderson, Founder Free Food Fridge Albany, said in the release. “The work that we all do can not be done alone, it takes the community coming together for the greater good of the people.
“As we grow our organization, it is vital that we expand our reach through connections and collaborations like this,” Anderson continued. “Our mission is to provide healthy, nutrient dense and low interventions foods. Allowing those who we serve to have the power of choice and agency.”
“Partnering with Free Food Fridge has allowed us to amplify a resource that already exists at MACSC, as well as extend its shelf life,” Emily Scimeca, Healthy Communities Manager at Capital Roots said in the release. “I’m grateful for the partnership and hope this will be a widely-used resource for the residents of Mechanicville.”
For further information about Capital Roots and its initiatives, please visit capitalroots.org. To learn more about the Free Food Fridge project, please visit freefoodfridgealbany.com.