VCFP & SRO Collaborative Fridge Fundraiser
Donation protected
Vancouver Community Fridge Project (VCFP) is raising funds for the Downtown Eastside SRO Collaborative Society (SRO-C) to purchase, deliver and set up fridges for residents in single room occupancy hotels, that are facing food insecurity.
The SRO-C was established in 2017 in the face of persistent poverty and growing inequality on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territory in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). Approximately 4,500 residents living in 99 privately run SROs in the DTES are considered very food insecure, with limited access to healthy, nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate foods. Food insecurity became heightened during the COVID Phase-1 response, as charity food system service became very restricted and many grocery stores and meal programs closed their doors. Tenants have requested a focus on groceries and hot meals to support their ability to safely self isolate. SRO-C began providing emergency food support in April 2020, and quickly realized that a collaborative approach that favors knowledge and resource sharing would more effectively and holistically address community food security needs. Since then, they have been working together with a coalition of individuals and community groups to improve free and affordable food options for the neighbourhood.
By providing access to fridges to the tenants of SROs, we can begin to work beyond emergency food relief, and toward long-term, decentralized and sustainable food security in the DTES.
We also understand that many of those living in the DTES are not just experiencing poverty and food insecurity, but are disconnected from their homelands, family, cultural duties, and way of life. For Indigenous people, who are disproportionately represented in the DTES, food insecurity has deep roots in the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism: land displacement, intergenerational trauma, marginalization, violence, and cultural and traditional knowledge loss. To properly address food insecurity in Indigenous communities and the DTES more broadly, we need systemic change that actively decolonizes food systems, restores Indigenous connection with traditional and cultural knowledge, builds capacity for self-sustenance, and promotes Indigenous food sovereignty. Therefore, we need to build infrastructure to not only to provide appropriate food but also cultural programming and connection for Indigenous folks and non-Indigenous folks as well.
With the funds raised from this GoFundMe, VCFP hopes to provide at least 5 fridges to various SROs in the DTES, as well as paid stipends for residents to bring in donations of fresh produce, groceries, and meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SRO-C was established in 2017 in the face of persistent poverty and growing inequality on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territory in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). Approximately 4,500 residents living in 99 privately run SROs in the DTES are considered very food insecure, with limited access to healthy, nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate foods. Food insecurity became heightened during the COVID Phase-1 response, as charity food system service became very restricted and many grocery stores and meal programs closed their doors. Tenants have requested a focus on groceries and hot meals to support their ability to safely self isolate. SRO-C began providing emergency food support in April 2020, and quickly realized that a collaborative approach that favors knowledge and resource sharing would more effectively and holistically address community food security needs. Since then, they have been working together with a coalition of individuals and community groups to improve free and affordable food options for the neighbourhood.
By providing access to fridges to the tenants of SROs, we can begin to work beyond emergency food relief, and toward long-term, decentralized and sustainable food security in the DTES.
We also understand that many of those living in the DTES are not just experiencing poverty and food insecurity, but are disconnected from their homelands, family, cultural duties, and way of life. For Indigenous people, who are disproportionately represented in the DTES, food insecurity has deep roots in the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism: land displacement, intergenerational trauma, marginalization, violence, and cultural and traditional knowledge loss. To properly address food insecurity in Indigenous communities and the DTES more broadly, we need systemic change that actively decolonizes food systems, restores Indigenous connection with traditional and cultural knowledge, builds capacity for self-sustenance, and promotes Indigenous food sovereignty. Therefore, we need to build infrastructure to not only to provide appropriate food but also cultural programming and connection for Indigenous folks and non-Indigenous folks as well.
With the funds raised from this GoFundMe, VCFP hopes to provide at least 5 fridges to various SROs in the DTES, as well as paid stipends for residents to bring in donations of fresh produce, groceries, and meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizer
Vancouver Community Fridge Project
Organizer
Burnaby, BC