“To be hungry and not have food, that’s just such a hurtful feeling,” Dené shared. She remembers being a child searching for food in an empty cabinet and breaking into tears. This personal history drives her commitment to ensuring others don’t face the same hardship.
Dené volunteers at the East Falls Community Fridge. While she is busy managing a pediatric medical practice, she found time during the pandemic to start volunteering checking the fridge temperature twice a day. Her commitment to increasing access to food is rooted in her own experiences with food insecurity growing up.
Dené also sees volunteering as an opportunity to instill values of service in her daughters, reminding them, “If you have the ability to help, you must help.” Her belief in mutual aid reflects the idea that serving others is not just charity but a way to affirm human dignity and solidarity.
Lindsay, who works as a crisis community liaison and suicide prevention trainer, is a natural connector and organizer. They consider volunteering to be a vital part of their personal wellness. As someone who has faced mental health challenges and recovery from an eating disorder, Lindsay finds strength in community involvement. “Being part of the community fridge is part of my personal wellness plan,” they explained, noting how leaning on community during difficult times has inspired them to give back.
Lindsay views the East Falls Community Fridge as a collective effort where everyone contributes their unique skills—whether through organizing, cleaning, or donating—to create something greater than themselves. “It’s solidarity, not charity,” they said, underscoring the reciprocal nature of service.
Both Lindsay and Dene shared that volunteering creates meaningful connections. Whether it’s seeing someone take a bag of food or receiving a simple “thank you” from a stranger, these moments affirm that their efforts matter.
“We’re not here to be self-serving. We’re here to be of service,” Dené stated passionately. This mindset transforms acts of giving into powerful experiences that validate both the giver and receiver and fosters well-being.
The East Falls Community Fridge is located at 3507 Midvale Avenue (in front of Vault + Vine and across from the Mifflin School). Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Consider being part of this community of service by signing up to volunteer.
Struggling with food insecurity? Check out these resources.
