What is Mutual Aid?

Mutual aid is neighbors showing up to help each other. At Fareground, we value mutual aid and we work with our community to establish and maintain venues that support neighbors in sharing resources with each other for the common good. The main ways we do this is through Tiny Food Pantries and Community Fridges.

What is a Tiny Food Pantry?

A Tiny Food Pantry (TFP) is a community resource to increase food access. It is a “take what you need, give what you can” social platform to provide free food and other necessities for anyone in the community.

TFPs are accessible at all times. See something you need? Please help yourself! Just as important, everyone can contribute by helping to keep it well stocked with food, toiletries, diapers, and other necessities. Our TFPs are filled by community residents at their convenience. We also have regular volunteers who make sure the pantries are stocked and kept clean.

Our Tiny Food Pantries and Community Fridges

Fareground currently operates fourteen Tiny Food Pantries and two Community Fridges in collaboration with other organizations and businesses which enable neighbors to provide healthy food to community members who are not able to make it to our Free Marketplaces. Volunteers and community members add food several times per week, keep them clean, and make sure our neighbors know about this resource. We are working to establish new Tiny Food Pantries and Community Fridges in partnership with other community groups. Please contact us, if you would be interested in hosting or managing a Community Fridge or Tiny Food Pantry.

Click on the images below for the addresses.

Binnacle Books, Beacon

Tompkins Terrace Laundry Rooms, Beacon

Beacon Recreation Center

Howland Public Library, Beacon

Beacon Music Factory

Lodger, Newburgh

River Valley Arts Center, Wappingers

Wappingers Town Hall

Sheafe Manor, Wappingers

First Presbyterian Church, Beacon

Main St, Cold Spring

Other Tiny Food Pantries and Community Fridges Nearby

Blue Fridge, Kingston

Beyond the 4 Walls, Kingston

Blackbird Info Shop, Kingston

Kingston Library

Adriance Memorial Library, Poughkeepsie

Village Hall, New Paltz

How can I contribute?

Any food items that you think your neighbors could use are welcome. Non-perishable food items are preferable for the Tiny Food Pantries, however, we do accept contributions of homemade bread and other goods. The community fridges can accept perishable items including frozen items. Please consider sharing items you or your family would enjoy consuming. Toiletries and baby-care supplies are also in demand.

If you would like to make a larger donation of pantry supplies or run a food drive to help keep them filled, please email us.

Can I build my own?

Yes! If you are interested in setting up a TFP yourself, please contact Fareground for advice about how to get started. We also recommend you read over the suggestions from our friends at the Little Free Pantry Project.