Empowering Black Mothers: Wilmington's Community Fridge Tackles Food Insecurity

In Wilmington, Delaware, a grassroots organization called Black Mothers in Power (BMIP) is making strides in addressing the pressing issues faced by Black and brown families. From maternal health support to advocacy and education, BMIP has been a beacon of hope for the community. Now, the organization has taken on a new initiative – a community fridge that provides free, fresh food to those in need.

Bridging the Gap: BMIP's Holistic Approach to Community Support

Expanding Services to Meet Growing Needs

Since its inception in 2019, BMIP has been steadily expanding its services to better serve the Wilmington community. What started as a maternal health support program has evolved into a comprehensive resource hub, offering everything from computer labs and postpartum support groups to housing and transportation assistance. As the organization continued to support families, they identified another pressing issue – food insecurity.

Addressing the Root Causes of Hunger

"We have a lot of families who come to us for assistance, right? A lot of their barriers for [things] like health care are related to things that don't have anything to do with health care, like transportation, housing, access to food and different things like that," said Shané Darby, the founder of BMIP. "Families were coming to us like, 'We're hungry.'" Recognizing the interconnectedness of these challenges, BMIP decided to take action and address the immediate need for food access.

The Birth of the Community Fridge

Although a community fridge wasn't part of BMIP's initial vision, the growing demand for food highlighted its necessity. "I never thought of opening up a community fridge. I never thought about the food pantry aspect until we opened up our center. And when we opened up our center, we realized people were coming to us asking us for food," Darby explained. With this realization, BMIP set out to establish a community fridge that would provide 24-hour access to canned goods and fresh produce for those facing food insecurity.

A Unique Twist: Addressing Period Poverty

As the community fridge is designed to support Black and brown women, BMIP decided to add a unique twist to the initiative. "We're partnering with local organizations to have pads and tampons available for free on the shelves of the community fridge, because we also know that's another barrier to care," Darby said. By addressing period poverty alongside food insecurity, BMIP is taking a holistic approach to supporting the well-being of the community.

Building Partnerships and Community Engagement

With the community fridge launching this weekend, BMIP is now looking to expand its partnerships and community engagement. The organization is seeking collaborations with local organizations to source fresh produce from community gardens, secure donations, and encourage community members to contribute to the fridge. By fostering these connections, BMIP aims to create a sustainable and inclusive solution to food insecurity in Wilmington.

Advocating for Health Equity and Maternal Care

Advocating for health care equity has always been at the forefront of BMIP's mission. Darby, who is also a member of Wilmington City Council, has a personal connection to the cause. As a mother of three daughters, she has firsthand experience with the specific challenges faced by Black and brown mothers. "Black women and Black babies are two to three times more likely to die or have negative health outcomes. That's why we came into existence, we started doing doula training programs, focusing on opening up a birth center [and training] midwives," Darby explained.

Addressing Intersectional Challenges

BMIP's holistic approach to supporting the community is rooted in the understanding that the challenges faced by Black and brown families are often interconnected. "It's all intersected and connected, so that's why we ended up doing the community fridge, realizing that [there] was a need in the community," Darby said. By addressing issues like maternal health, transportation, housing, and food insecurity, BMIP is working to create a more equitable and supportive environment for the families it serves.