KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A program that provides fresh meals and food options for hundreds of homeless people in Knoxville saw an unexpected challenge on Monday after Knox Pride said its community fridge was no longer working.
It said on social media that the Knox Pride Community Fridge, located near Sam Duff Park, would be closed "for the foreseeable future." It said the fridge was no longer cooling and the Knox County Health Department said it would not be safe for them to put food in, or for people to take food out.
The fridge would offer meals like spaghetti, egg salad, chicken burritos and sandwiches, while also giving people access to a variety of other food options suited to different dietary restrictions, such as almond milk.
It also provides access to food without having people answer questions about themselves. Organizers said it was meant to make sure people could eat without having to answer questions about their names and identities.
Knox Pride said a padlock was put on the fridge due to safety concerns. It also said it was working to substitute the community fridge with its indoor fridge as an access point, so people could still find food. The nonprofit also operates an indoor food pantry open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m.
The nonprofit said on social media that it hopes to soon have an update on the community fridge. The community fridge is usually available to anyone who needs a meal, no questions asked and no matter their identity.
