STATUS: ACTIVE
SOCIAL: @concordiagenderadvocacy
WEBSITE: https://genderadvocacy.org/
UNIVERSITY: Concordia
ADDRESS: Centre for Gender Advocacy, 2110 Mackay St. Montréal, H3G 2J1
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.
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
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
GET INVOLVED
- Donate food: Pantry items or fridge items which are still sealed and in date. + Fresh produce.
- Volunteer with the Centre for Gender Advocacy
- Share the resource with students in need
- Support the CGA campaigns and mutual aid initiatives
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