Hello nutritional desert, we have a fridge for you! That’s the message that the Ellenville Mutual Aid Network is putting out as 2022 gets going.

Adriana Magaña, secretary of the Democratic Party in Ulster County, and noted permaculture designer and gardener, said, “The Mutual Aid Network came about in the spring of 2020. What we saw in Kingston inspired me to start it in Ellenville.”

Kingston Mutual Aid has been operating two community fridges that allow anyone to take some food or leave some food, and volunteers maintain the operation.

The concept? “It’s an old idea,” said Magaña, “Perhaps a little radical, but practices and politics that emphasize solidarity rather than charity are the aim. Recognizing that our wellbeing, our health and our dignity are all bound up together, and cooperation, is what it is all about.”

The network is still small, perhaps 250 members. Magaña noted that existing organizations like the Family of Ellenville and Community Action have been doing their work in this direction previously, but added, “Mutual Aid Network came out of the realization that there is so much need and we need more people working together on this.”

The community fridges, sometimes called a “freedge,” are designed to share food within a community. A community fridge is usually maintained by volunteers, working with local businesses, community members, churches, and other organizations. The idea is that people can take food out and put food in, without limits. In some places major companies like Whole Foods donate large amounts of excess food into a stream that takes it to community fridges. Often this food would end up being thrown away otherwise.

The main aim of community fridges is to reduce food insecurity, while also mitigating food waste. The difference with already existing food pantries, like the one at Ellenville’s United Methodist Church on Canal Street, is that fresh food can be kept in a fridge, taking things beyond the packaged foods at most food pantries. So, in a nutritional desert, which might well describe the Village of Ellenville if you don’t have transportation means, a community fridge can be a godsend.

Indeed, the community fridge will be hosted by the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church at 156 Center Street.

Regarding the community, the church’s new paster, Gary Fuller, who was appointed in October 2021, had this to say: “I find Ellenville to be a beautiful and uplifting place, it’s a bit like time has stood still in Ellenville. That can be both good and perhaps bad. But mostly good, I think.”

The A.M.E. Church arose in the 18th century when white American churches refused full membership to African Americans. A.M.E. churches follow the Wesleyan “Methodist” theological tradition that began with the inspired ministry of evangelical reformers, the brothers John and Charles Wesley.

Reverend Fuller added, “Our church is also known as the “freedom church,” because in slavery times our membership included people like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass.”

Tubman, one of the most courageous people to have ever lived, organized and led groups of slaves to freedom via the “underground railroads.” Douglass, an escaped slave, became a noted author, orator, and activist in the struggle to end slavery in the U.S.

Reverend Fuller has an easy laugh and style, but turned serious when asked about the community fridge project.

“The pandemic has taught us a couple of important lessons. We need to care for each other better than we have and a community fridge is one way we can express care for our neighbors. It will send out a message to all our neighbors that people still care.”

Reverend Fuller noted that indeed, “We have a nutritional desert here in Ellenville.”

The village once had half a dozen groceries as well as three bakeries. Fuller pushed on to another important idea. “How can we stage nutritional workshops for our community on a continuous basis, not a one off? Whatever I undertake has to be sustainable.”

The church board will be discussing the fridge and issues associated with it, such as times of operation and how it will be maintained on a volunteer basis. In the meantime, Adriana Magaña said, “I’m very excited about the location for the fridge. That whole corner there, where Clinton meets Center Street, has incredible exposure and potential. Maybe we can even have a community garden there. And of course, it is wonderful that the Reverend Fuller and the congregation are ready to serve and uplift the community this way.”

Magaña added that food will come from area businesses and from individuals, but Mutual Aid is also looking for volunteers and anyone who feels the urge to contribute to their community. “Go to the Ellenville Mutual Aid page on Facebook,” said Magaña. “Message us there to make contact.”