New Republic Branch Library Receives Community Fridge Grant
- (cr) Vickie Hicks
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
The Springfield-Greene County Library District has received $4,000 from the Republic Community Foundation to support the community fridge project at the new Republic Branch Library. Slated to open in January, the new library will feature a commercial refrigerator stocked regularly with local produce from nonprofit partner Rooting Republic. The free produce will be available to the public during all hours the library is open.
The aim of the community fridge project is to help combat food insecurity and increase access to nutritious fruits and vegetables. There is no charge to receive produce. Tysha Shay, Republic Branch Manager, said, “Thanks to the Republic Community Foundation’s grant to support the Republic Branch Library’s community fridge, we will be able to help our community tangibly, especially as food prices continue to rise, and be a place where we can share and build stronger bonds within our community.”
The Library District currently partners with Springfield Community Gardens for free community fridges at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library and the Library Station.
The Library Foundation is currently fundraising for capital projects at a new branch in Republic and at the Hatch Auditorium at the Library Center. Additionally, information on a variety of innovative programs at all 10 branches can be found at foundation.thelibrary.org.