Community Free Fridge Fundraiser

A coalition benefit organized by Self Group Collective, Sunnyside Shower Project and The Nest Lounge.

Originally this event was planned as a benefit specifically for the Belmont Community Free Fridge to raise $1,600.00 needed to pay for and challenge PP&D's citation against it due to a complaint filed by a community member. This is the second complaint filed, the first with PBOT.  After we had worked through the PBOT citation and moved the fridge and housing from its original location with a written guarantee it would be safe from further fines or citations this second complaint was filed against the fridge in its new location.  See: NIMBY.

In reviewing our options to dispute the decision we came to the conclusion that we couldn’t justify raising and spending that much money even if it resulted in delaying their decision and potentially affording a couple of additional months of the fridge's existence as-is. We don't have an alternative space to move the fridge and housing on the property to meet the requirement as cited by PP&D.  The citation deadline for removal or "compliance" is December 17th.

So we decided to pivot and make this very last minute benefit and fundraiser for a community free fridge general fund to be distributed to any fridge hosts who currently need to purchase materials, fridges, etc, as well as to community members who want to build and host new fridges/pantries.

There will be a raffle with rad items, gift cards, etc, donated by amazing local businesses, bands, orgs tabling, SGC will be tabling with free zines, posters, buttons, stickers and more.

If you'd like more info on how to establish and organize a free fridge and/or pantry check out PDX Free Fridge.

Whether you can make it out for this or not, love & solidarity forever - SGC/SSP/Nest

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Details
Saturday, December 13th
@ The Nest (2715 SE Belmont, PDX)
5:00 PM Doors / 6:00 PM Event Starts

Tabling
Self Group Collective
Sunnyside Shower Project
Renters Action Network
Rock Shop Rescue
PDX Free Fridge

Bands / DJ
Elle Archer (of Shaylee)
AC Sapphire 
+ DJ/curated playlist

Raffle Prizes From
Aerosol Smith / Art
Wayfinder / $40 Gift Card
Boneyard / Skateboard Deck
Blutos / $50 Gift Card
PBR / Blazers Tickets
50 Licks / $25 Gift Card
Foxtrot / T-Shirt & Hoodie
Straight From New York Pizza / $50 Gift Card
Zach's Shack / $50 Gift Card
Rachel Joy Rockey MS, LPC, Polyvagal Consultant / One Free Therapy Session
Flash Tattoo Gift Card

If you'd like to donate remotely you can do so to SGC via:
Venmo: @sgcpdx
Paypal: [email protected]

* We will post financial info including the total donated from the event as well as where the money was disbursed here.

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Report Back:
What an incredible event and showing of community support for the PDX citywide free fridge project!  This was entirely organized in less than a week and everyone rallied to make it happen on an extremely short timeline.  Coalition building, connectivity, skill-sharing and overall participation in the many aspects and areas required for these benefits are always the cornerstones and there were so many more involved in varying aspects behind the scenes.  It's forever beautiful to see the care and solidarity that's ever-present always but exemplified and illuminated that much more in spaces like this.

Amazing sets from AC Sapphire and Elle Archer of Shaylee, tabling by comrades from Rock Shop Rescue, Renters Action Network, PDX Free Fridge fam, Sunnyside Shower Project and Self Group Collective.  A huge thank you to the many, many, many local businesses and individuals who donated items for the raffle!  Truly incredible to see the tables filled with that support showing up for the general fund so we as a community can maintain these direct and immediate resources and means to support one another.  Thank YOU!

In total together we collectively raised $857.93 for the free fridge general fund!

Love & solidarity forever - SGC/SSP/Nest

Next Event: SGC BDAY Bash on Saturday, January 31st at Black Water