Love Thy Community II: One Love Community Fridge

We recently had the honor of sitting down with Asmeret Berhe-Lumax, Founder & CEO of One Love Community Fridge (OLCF), and team member Maria Arrington to talk about the incredible work behind this grassroots movement. Born in March 2020, OLCF has grown into a powerful community-led initiative tackling food insecurity head-on while building deeper connections across neighborhoods.

What started as a response to urgent need during the pandemic has become a 24/7 operation rooted in love, dignity, and mutual aid. With programs like Food to Fridge, Farm to Fridge, and School to Fridge, OLCF rescues and redistributes food to those who need it most, keeping thousands of pounds of food out of landfills and onto tables.

With over 550 volunteers and counting, the mission is simple yet powerful: nourish people, empower communities, and fight climate change through collective action.

Want to be part of the movement? Learn more and get involved at onelovecommunityfridge.org

“I founded One Love Community Fridge in March 2020 during the pandemic, after seeing how traditional systems for addressing hunger were overwhelmed. Food is the foundation of health, and I felt a responsibility to act. Witnessing the need firsthand, I knew it was crucial to provide nourishment and support our community during a time of struggle. This initiative became a way to care for one another and ensure everyone had the resources to stay healthy.”

Asmeret Berhe-Lumax, Founder & CEO

OLCF knows that food holds the power to heal, inform, and transform. At the core of their mission is the belief that everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy food and the knowledge to make informed choices about their well-being. Through education and equitable access, they empower communities to take control of their health and their futures. Guided by respect, dignity, and compassion, their work tackles food insecurity and food waste head-on, creating a system where nourishment is a right, not a privilege.

Maria Arringtonjoined One Love Community Fridge in 2021 as a volunteer,and said it felt like a no-brainer.  Her motivation is simple and she says, “This is what we're meant to do. Living in this city means taking care of the people in it.”

“A lesson I wish was more widely taught is to volunteer without expecting recognition or rewards. Give from the heart and do what needs to be done, even when the impact isn't immediate. Every effort matters- trust me.”

Maria Arrington, Volunteer