Mourners gathered under the evening rain to pay their final respects to a much-loved community fridge as they bid farewell to it at a ‘funeral’.
The Leytonstone Community Fridge was forced to close on Monday, November 12, less than two months after it officially opened with a celebratory ceremony.
Organisers say they were given just three days’ notice of the eviction which happened as a result of “external circumstances” involving the building the fridge was located next to.
Up until its final day in operation, an average of 60 people would visit daily to donate food and pick up what they most needed.
Co-organiser Adrienne Aslan said: “When we were told we were going to be evicted it felt like a blow – it took a lot of time to get it all set up.
“Three days before this, we were told we were going to be evicted.”
People living in Leytonstone came together to mourn the loss of the fridge
The fridge, draped in a black cloth with flowers resting on top, was placed in the back of a hearse, provided by Hasina Zaman of Compassionate Funerals.
The crowds, many of whom were dressed in black, walked behind the hearse as it made its way through Church Lane.
Leaflets were handed out with a message that read: ‘Celebrating the end of life no. 1.
‘With such a promising future ahead and a very high degree of local support from donor shops, growers and individuals, many stall volunteers and a wide range of users, it is beyond disappointing that the fridge has now been forced by external circumstances to cease operations at 34 Church Lane.’
The project which aimed to reduce food poverty and food waste in the area was run entirely by volunteers and depended on donations.
Diana Korchien bids farewell to the fridge
Environmental charity Hubbub and pro-sustainability group Transition Leytonstone had teamed up to bring the idea to fruition.
Despite the initiative which aimed to knit the multi-cultural community together coming to an abrupt end, co-organiser Diana Korchien remains hopeful an alternative location will be found for the fridge and storage cabinets.
She said: “It was a shock but I’m feeling really upbeat.
“We have had an offer but it is not in Leytonstone and we want the fridge to remain here and serve the community. This is the area we want to stay in.”
While organisers wait to find a suitable location for the fridge, a food stall will run from 12pm to 3pm on Friday to Sunday outside 743 Leytonstone High Road.
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