Charitable Trust Staff was honored to recently attend a Grand Opening celebration for the new Community Fridge and Freezer program now open at LifeStream Church of the Nazarene in Waldorf. This is only the 2nd community fridge site in Charles County, the other located in La Plata. Food insecurity continues to be a prominent issue in our county as further evidenced by LifeStream staff, Micheal Bryan, telling the Trust that so far, their community fridge requires daily re-stocking. The community fridge, located along the parking lot of LifeStream Church of the Nazarene at 5105 Leonardtown Rd in Waldorf, is open to the public 24 hours a day. It consists of a standard refrigerator and freezer, as well as shelving with baked goods and other shelf stable food options. The new asset works on a honor system. Anyone can access the food at any time and take what they need.
The Grand Opening of the community fridge program was held on site on February 21st. The event was well attended as LifeStream staff showed immense gratitude to all community partners and volunteers involved in supporting this new food asset for those in need. Church Pastor, Jared Willemen, kicked off the event with thanks and a prayer. LifeStream Food Pantry husband and wife team, Micheal and Joan Bryan, highlighted the important partnerships that are vital to running any outreach charity mission such as this community fridge, as well as the existing Food Pantry that occur at LifeStream Church. Catholic Charities, Maryland Food Bank, Waldorf Food Lion, and Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) all had a hand in providing funding and/or food for this project. Walgreens also provides health and hygiene items, and the Charitable Trust has provided grant funding for the Food Pantry. Other partnerships include Taco Bell, Upward Thrive Academy, Shalgel Farm, Floating Lotus Farm, as well as many LifeStream Church staff and volunteers. It truly takes many helping hands working together for the greater good to accomplish a community-wide project like this, and LifeStream did an excellent job highlighting this.
HOW TO GET HELP: Stop by the community fridge at 5105 Leonardtown Rd for emergency food items anytime 24 hours a day. LifeStream also holds Food Pantry days 3 Wednesdays and 1 Saturday per month. Check their facebook page for additional information: facebook.com/lifestreamnaz
HOW TO HELP: LifeStream welcomes food donations, especially canned goods, as they go quickly. You can email Micheal Bryan about opportunities to donate or help at micheal.bryan@me.com
- Food donations for weekend backpacks can be dropped off at the 3rd floor lobby of 10665 Stanhaven Place in White Plains (ReMax building)
- Donate folding tables and folding chairs for youth programs
- Sponsor the purchase of a high-performance computer for STEM programs
- Sponsor the purchase of large freezers/refrigerators for food storage
- Connect Upward Thrive with a low-cost vehicle for youth field trips
If you can help, please email upwardthriveacademy@gmail.com for more information. Visit upwardthriveinc.org to learn more about their offerings.