Community fridge and pantry.
STATUS: ACTIVE
SOCIAL: @concordiagenderadvocacy
WEBSITE: https://genderadvocacy.org/
UNIVERSITY: Concordia
ADDRESS: Centre for Gender Advocacy, 2110 Mackay St. Montréal
SCHOOL: Concordia University
CONTACT INFO: info@genderadvocacy.org
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
The Warm Hearts Community Fridge is a mutual aid food initiative operated by the Centre for Gender Advocacy at Concordia University. It provides free, no-barrier access to food for students and community members, grounded in principles of dignity, care, and collective responsibility.
Unlike traditional food aid models, the fridge operates on a “take what you need, leave what you can” system—reducing stigma and creating a shared culture of support. It plays an important role in addressing food insecurity on campus, especially for students facing financial, systemic, or social barriers.
The initiative is part of a broader ecosystem of grassroots food justice efforts at Concordia, connecting food access with gender equity, anti-poverty work, and community care.
Facilitated by the fee levy and nonprofit organization – The Centre for Gender Advocacy.
KEY CHALLENGES:
- Maintaining a consistent food supply and donations with high demand
KEY SUCCESSES:
- Provides immediate, stigma-free food access on campus
- Supports students who may not access formal food banks
- Integrates food justice into broader gender advocacy work
SERVICES:
- Community fridge (open Tues-Wed-Thurs,11am – 5pm)
- Low-barrier, stigma-free food access for students and community members
GET INVOLVED
- Donate food: Pantry items or fridge items that are still sealed and in date. Fresh produce as well.
- Volunteer with the Centre for Gender Advocacy
- Share the resource with students in need
- Support the CGA campaigns and mutual aid initiatives
TIMELINE
- Pre-2020s (approx.) – Centre for Gender Advocacy expands material support services (menstrual products, food access initiatives)
- Early 2020s – Launch of the Warm Hearts Community Fridge as part of mutual aid responses to rising student food insecurity
- Ongoing – Continues to serve as a key free food access point at Concordia, supported by community donations
PHOTOS
Related Projects
At Concordia
In Quebec
If this is your food group and you wish to make any changes to your page, please email us at info@concordiafoodcoalition.com.