Feel Good Fridge Program Expands Access to Fresh Food

In 2023, Gleaners Community Food Bank embarked on an exciting partnership with Whirlpool Corporation and Feeding America to address food insecurity in Southeast Michigan communities. Through the Feel Good Fridge Program, we’re helping improve access to healthy food options by increasing storage capacity for fresh and perishable items.

 At Closet of Hope in Southfield, the units they received from the program have significantly improved their ability to manage food waste. “We have increased our produce offerings,” said a pantry team leader, “and the refrigerators help us minimize produce loss.” The new equipment has also enabled them to stock items that would have otherwise been impossible to offer. “In addition to produce,” they added, “the refrigerators have allowed us to occasionally bring in eggs, which we did not originally have the capacity to do.” 

How the Program Works 

The Feel Good Fridge Program provides our agency partners with donated, refurbished residential fridges and chest freezers, delivered straight to their doors. To make the transition seamless, Whirlpool offers free delivery of the new equipment and handles the removal of old units—allowing our partners to focus on what matters most: feeding their communities. 

What happens if a unit breaks or needs maintenance? Whirlpool sends a technician at no cost to the partner. “Early on,” said a pantry leader from Caring Community Center, “one of the refrigerators became inoperable, needing a new compressor. We were able to call for service, and they made a quick turnaround to get it repaired at no cost.” 

Reaching More Communities 

Currently, more than 68 of our agency partners have received donated, refurbished residential fridges and chest freezers through the program—more than 214 units! And that number continues to grow with even more applications in the pipeline.  Each fridge and freezer donated increases our partners’ ability to store and distribute fresh produce, dairy, and proteins, ensuring that kids, seniors, and families across Southeast Michigan have greater access to nutritious foods that might otherwise be unavailable.