A dedicated group of community volunteers got the Taghkanic Free Community Fridge up and running last November. The Fridge is supported by and for residents of Taghkanic and the surrounding communities. Four days a week, volunteers from the Columbia County Recovery Kitchen and the West Taghkanic Diner load the fridge with prepared meals. Once a week and sometimes more, a rotating group of volunteers shop for, clean and restock the fridge and pantry. To date, this effort has been funded by generous financial donations from community members.
We have recently become recipients of a monthly stipend of $500 provided by the Shared Plate Funding Circle. The money in this fund is gleaned from a percentage taken from every menu item sold at the restaurants Lil' Deb's Oasis (Hudson), The West Taghkanic Diner (Taghkanic), and Gaskins (Germantown). This money is pooled together and moved into community organizations and mutual aid funds in need. We are grateful to be added to their list!
The Fridge is serving many in need. The fridge and pantry are completely restocked every week, and with continued support from the community we can do even more.
Donations made directly to the Fridge (either through VENMO (@taghkanicfridge) or by dropping a donation in the box inside Town Hall) are NOT tax deductible. However, if you'd like your donation to be tax deductible, OR if you have a matching donation program through your employer and would like to double your impact, you can make a donation to the Purpose Cooperative. The Purpose Cooperative is a 501c3 through which we receive our Shared Plate stipend. You can send a check to Purpose Cooperative, 95 Main Street #546, Philmont, NY 12565 and ask that it be earmarked for the Taghkanic Fridge.
If you'd like to learn more about the fridge or join our group of volunteers, please contact Betsyalbertfortaghkanic@gmail.com