Waimea Friendly Fridge will be offline during a relocation, so volunteers are launching grab-and-go pop-ups starting Aug. 8 to ensure neighbors still have access to meals.
Led by Chef Stephen Rouelle, the community team will serve ready-to-eat food at Minukeʻole Park, next to Mana Christian ‘Ohana’s Kahilu Town Hall. Meals will be available first come, first served from 1 to 3 p.m. every Saturday in August.
The Waimea Friendly Fridge, a 24-hour community food hub restocked by volunteers and donors three times daily, closed at the end of July. Organizers said they are working to secure a new site and resume operations as quickly as possible.
Waimea Friendly Fridge: other food resources
Several local food distributions remain unchanged:
- New Hope Christian Fellowship Church: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays, sponsored by Kokua Christian Ministries.
- Free community meals: 4:30 to 6 p.m. every Thursday at St. James’ Episcopal Church.
- Monthly food distribution: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday at Annunciation Food Pantry, St. James’ Episcopal Church.
For more than three years, the Fridge has relied on volunteers, businesses, farmers and ranchers. Rising food prices, high living costs, a tight housing market and hurdles in accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have driven demand so high that the Fridge has needed refilling three times a day.
Local businesses such as KTA Super Stores and Starbucks regularly contribute. Volunteer groups gather monthly to cook large batches of meals, and Parker School’s student club prepares meals on weekdays during the school year.
Community members are encouraged to donate safely stored leftovers from family or sports gatherings, portioned for one to four servings and labeled with contents and date. Fresh produce like bananas, avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce is also welcome.
Tax-deductible donations can be made by check to Kokua Christian Ministries, Box 231, Kamuela. Note on the check that it is for the Friendly Fridge.
“We are deeply grateful to all who have helped keep the Fridge friendly during challenging times,” said founder Donni Sheather of Waimea. “We now welcome any help possible and, going forward once resituated, we welcome help preparing and donating meals for Waimea neighbors.”
For questions or to learn more, call Laurie Ainslie at 808-895-3056.
