FOUR ‘COMMUNITY FRIDGES’ TO OFFER FREE ‘GRAB AND GO’ FOOD TO HELP THOSE IN NEED IN GRAVENHURST AND BRACEBRIDGE EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST — The spirit of giving was on full display at a Rotary Club Christmas party Thursday night — and it’s about to take tangible shape on the streets of south Muskoka.
A new community-driven initiative will see four “community fridges” installed in Gravenhurst and Bracebridge early in the new year, offering free, fresh food to anyone who needs it — no questions asked.
The project is being launched thanks in part to a $7,200 donation from Rotarian John Cooper and his wife Denise, who announced it during a festive evening meeting at the Opera House.
The local concept was developed by Town and District Councillor Peter Johnston, who spoke at a recent Rotary meeting and who says the fridges are meant to be simple, accessible and stigma-free.
“Just open the door and help yourself,” Johnston said. “It’s as easy as that.”
Two fridges will be placed in each town and stocked daily with donated fresh food — excluding meat — for daytime use. While still new to south Muskoka, Johnston says the idea has a proven track record elsewhere.
“Everywhere they’ve been in Canada they’ve worked fantastic,” he said this afternoon. “I know of several in Hamilton where my son lives — and I’m going to see them at Christmas.”
Built by community, for community
Local businesses and volunteers are rallying behind the effort.
Gravenhurst merchants Greg Knapp and Jesse Grimes, of Knapp’s Furniture and Sobeys, have donated the refrigerators.
The Coopers are covering the cost of building the two Gravenhurst shelters, which are expected to be located at Trinity United Church and potentially the Gravenhurst Public Library.
In Bracebridge, Rotarian and Councillor Brenda Rhodes has helped secure another pair of donated fridges, with similar shelters planned.
All four structures are being built locally by contractor Gilbert Gagné at his West Graber Construction site in Gravenhurst.
The fridges will be open during the day and locked overnight.
Signage will be installed at each location outlining acceptable food donations, and public notices and advertising will roll out in early 2026 to spread awareness of the program.
“This really is a community effort,” Johnston said. “From donors to builders to volunteers — everyone is pitching in.”
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