When I stopped by the community fridge on Mountain View this week, I expected to see the usual — shelves stocked with apples, canned soups, maybe a few boxes of pasta. Instead? Just a few lonely veggies and an empty freezer.

It was a stark reminder that these fridges are lifelines for many in our community — especially as the weather turns colder and times get tougher. The idea behind them is simple: take what you need, leave what you can. No forms, no questions, just kindness in action.

If you’re able, here’s what helps most right now:

🥫 Shelf-stable staples – rice, beans, peanut butter, canned soups, tuna, vegetables, whole-wheat pasta, oatmeal

🍎 Fresh produce – apples, oranges, potatoes, cabbage (all have longer shelf lives)

❄️ Frozen goods – veggies, easy-to-heat meals, frozen fruits

🧼 Personal care items – tampons, pads, baby wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap

You can find the Longmont Community Fridges at several local spots — including Mountain View and Heart of Longmont — and they’re open 24/7. If you prefer, donating to local food banks like Community Food Share or HOPE for Longmont also goes a long way, but the fridges are often the first stop for families who need help right now.

One resident shared that his wife has been making “meals in a bag” — 150 and counting — and still can’t keep them stocked. That says it all: the need is real, but so is the heart of this town.

And here’s a feel-good fact: these fridges started as grassroots projects during the pandemic and now operate across Boulder County, powered entirely by community volunteers. Pretty incredible what a few kind people (and a working fridge) can do.

Wednesday, November 12

Thursday, November 13