Most of us can open our fridge at any hour of the day – and choose from a variety of snacks and meals. But some of our neighbors can’t. Their fridge is bare. Or broken. Or they’re homeless and lack a fridge altogether.

That’s the reality for too many families in our region. 320,000 Illinois kids don't have enough to eat, according to Feeding America; our local Niles Township food pantry reports a rise in families seeking food amid higher food prices.

In our local Jewish community, food insecurity is real and devastating. One in 10 Jewish households in our surrounding neighborhoods report being unsure whether they will have the funds to afford basic living expenses…

And yet, even as so many go hungry, 30% to 40% of food in the United States is wasted every year. It's a heartbreaking contradiction.

Meet Hersh's Fridge: the first kosher community fridge in the country. Community fridges have sprouted up all over the U.S., but never before (as far as we know) has there been a kosher community fridge – providing kosher leftovers and storebought staples for those in need.

Many families are ashamed to access food pantries or soup kitchens, due to stigma. Our fridge will be outdoors and accessible 24/7 to kosher-keeping Jews – and anyone in need – ensuring they can secure food in an anonymous, dignified way. The Fridge embodies our highest values: giving and receiving anonymously (Rambam, Hilchot Matonot Aniyim 10:7) and helping our neighbors, Jewish and not (Talmud Bavli, Gittin 61a) – a true kiddush Hashem.

Donate to support fridge maintenance and our Fridge Food Fund, which we use to keep it well-stocked with food every day: