UMass Memorial Health - Harrington opens community fridge, closet

Photo | TMS Aerial Solutions Harrington Hospital in Southbridge

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By Isabel Tehan

UMass Memorial Health - Harrington hospital in Southbridge has opened two community fridges and closets on its campuses, which will supply food items and lightly used clothing for individuals to access as part of the hospital’s health equity initiatives.

The two locations will be based at 100 South Street in Southbridge and 340 Thompson Road in Webster. They will have non-perishable as well as refrigerated and frozen food, toiletries, and clothing, which will be regularly restocked, according to a Tuesday press release from the hospital.

“The Bridge Fridge project is in response to the feedback from our Community Health Needs Assessment, a 21-question survey about health care priorities based on statewide needs identified by the Attorney General’s Office,” said UMass Memorial Health – Harrington president Ed Moore in the press release. “We are focused on our work for diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure we, as a community hospital, are meeting the needs of the groups identified in our Health Needs Assessment. Some of the most prominent needs identified in our area include food supply and clothing insecurity.”

The community fridge, pantry, and closets will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the hospital will host regular drives for supplies. The initiative is in collaboration with Southbridge mutual aid organization WellStorm Inc., which previously launched the Bridge Fridge program at Renaissance Medical Group in Southbridge.

“From a health equity perspective, we believe that food is medicine and is integral to our overall health and wellbeing,” said chief nursing officer and chief operating officer at the hospital Jessica Calcidise in the press release. “We are very hopeful that it helps meet some of the hunger needs in our area as well as essential clothing and general hygiene items.”