Malden's Third Community Fridge Opens In Ward 5

MALDEN, MA — Mayor Gary Christenson and city councilors Craig Spadafora, Barbara Murphy and Jadeane Sica recently unveiled Malden's third Community Fridge.

The fridge, located on the bike path across from the Community Garden, is stocked with fresh produce, bread, pizza and other items. It is located behind U-Haul Storage, 420 Eastern Avenue, which is the city's first corporate sponsor for the program.

"In the decades that U-Haul has served Malden, I have observed a strong sense of community," said Jorge White, president of U-Haul Boston. "When the city approached us about the location of the fridge, we felt we were well positioned to do what neighbors do: help those in our community who need it most."

The initiative is aimed at helping those in need as the community recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents are invited to donate items to the fridge or take what they need. Fridges have also been installed at Canal Street and the Linden municipal lot.

The idea for the program originated from councilors Spadafora and Sica as a means of combating food insecurity in Malden.

Also partnering in the effort are students from the Malden Teen Enrichment Center, who painted and designed the latest fridge case, and the Public Works and Inspectional Services departments, which helped with the installation.

Instructions are on the fridge to help residents interested in assisting. The city is working with produce business Katsiroubas Company to enable donations in an easy and safe way. Through their website www.katsiroubasproduce.com, residents may purchase a $25 produce box online and Katsiroubas Produce will deliver $50 worth of produce to the fridge.