Meet Funky Town Fridge: A Community Fridge in Fort Worth, Texas J E S S I CA OSWA L D MS, RDN, LD DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
We’re living in unprecedented times. Even if you’re tired of the word unprecedented (I know I am), there are no other words to describe what our world has been like for the past 18+ months: global pandemic, historic election, record-breaking weather events and a social justice movement with global impact. In the midst of all this, there were amazing humans paying it forward and making a real impact. Kendra Richardson is the founder of Funky Town Fridge (FTF) and I had the opportunity to chat with her about her entrepreneurial spirit and the creation of FTF.
Tell me a little bit about yourself. Kendra Richardson: I’m a former educator. Before this year [2021], I taught high school. I was the president of the local chapter of the NAACP. I have my own hair company - a natural hair-care line - and I am the founder of Funky Town Fridge.
Tell me more about FTF. What is it? What does it do? When did it start? KR: FTF is a community solidarity fridge. It officially started operating on September 26, 2020. The fridges are placed outside of buildings and they are accessible 24/7. Anybody can put food into the fridge and anybody can take food out of the fridge. There are no questions asked. There are no requirements. It’s not policed.
Where did you come up with the idea? KR: Instagram! During the height of the George Floyd protests and the Breonna Taylor murder, I decided to take time to think through and reflect on what would be impactful, sustainable, here for years to come, and create material change. We can say that we are fighting for economic justice and environmental justice but
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what does that look like? What do we want this world that we’re fighting and protesting for to look like? So, I was scrolling through Instagram and once I saw [the concept of a community fridge], it just clicked and everything else aligned.
We can say that we are fighting for economic justice and environmental justice but what does that look like?
How do you decide where the fridges go? KR: I know these neighborhoods because I’ve grown up in them. They haven’t changed. They’re all-black neighborhoods. They don’t have grocery stores. They don’t have resources. People don’t have cars. They don’t have money. The fridges go where they are needed the most.
What is the biggest difference between FTF and other nonprofits that provide food? KR: Everything. We’re not a nonprofit. We’re an LLC. We are for the community, operated by the community, protected, maintained and loved by the community. Every resource that we get, we give straight back to the community. We do more work than just the community fridges. We were doing work during the winter storm. We do other mutual-aid work. Ultimately, the biggest difference is that we are instilling in the community that it’s up to us to take care of each other.
