Innisfil announces that the Troy Scott Community Fridge in Cookstown will be relocated from indoors to outdoors - allowing 24/7 access.
Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin says the community fridge project is a neighbours helping neighbours initiative to increase access to nutritious food for all Innisfil residents.
"It started out as a way we could help the community during the pandemic," Dollin told Barrie 360. "We opened our first fridge outside of the Innisfil Recreational Complex in June of 2021. Leave what you can take what you need - non-judgmental - and it was a huge success."
Dollin says custom structures have been built to protect the space.
"There's a pantry space, freezers, and fridges within an area that will be protected in the winter that people can access 24/7."
Innisfil has three of these community fridges, one at the aforementioned recreation complex, and the other two are located at branches of the Innisfil IdeaLab and library (Cookstown and Alcona).
The fridges are named in memory of Innisfil resident, business owner, and community builder Troy Scott who died in June 2021.
Dollin says his generosity and kindness impacted the Innisfil community.
"He didn't know the word no," said Dollin. "He was always donating to people in the community. We thought it fitting that he was a grocer and so we named the program after him."
Troy's dad, Bill Scott, says his son was always in the community whether it was charities, hockey, or even baseball teams, he would be helping and be glad to help.
"I think it's because of Troy being so helpful for people that he was well-liked," said Scott. "And he wouldn't say no to anybody. And when it came to charity, food, and all that, he was right there."
Representatives from the Town of Innisfil, including members of council and municipal staff, the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library, C4Kids, the Scott family, and the community attended the event on Thursday afternoon.
Head to the Troy Scott Community Fridge website for more information about the initiative, where to access them, or where to donate.
Banner image via the Town of Innisfil (picture is not of the fridge in Cookstown)
