From My Neighbourhood to Yours: One Community Fridge at a Time

I’m Marlina — or Kak Marlina, as the neighbours call me — and I live in Lengkok Bahru. In my neighborhood, you don’t have to look far to see food insecurity — you just need to look around. A child rushing off to school with nothing but a packet of Milo. An elderly neighbour skipping dinner so tomorrow doesn’t feel so uncertain. A mother quietly adding more water to the pot, trying to stretch one meal into two.

There were days when all I could give my kids was condensed milk mixed with water, and a smile to hide how empty the fridge really was.

I couldn’t look away. Not when the struggle was right outside my door. So I did what I could: I used my own savings to set up a small fridge outside my home, stocked with rice, eggs, and vegetables. No forms. No shame. Just trust — and the hope that no family in my neighbourhood would feel alone in their hardest moments.

I didn’t expect much at first. But the fridge became more than just a place to collect food — it became a way to close the gap for families waiting for their next paycheck, to make sure they could still put 3 proper meals on the table for their kids that week.

Sometimes, they send me photos of what they’ve cooked. Fried rice, curry, sambal — because with our rations, they’re free to cook what their family actually enjoys. It’s not just food. It’s dignity, connection, and a small reminder that even when life is hard, they’re not alone.

And can you believe it? The same neighbours who once received food now help to give it out — cooking, volunteering, and paying the kindness forward.

Your support goes directly toward:
- Setting up more community fridges in neighbourhoods where families are quietly struggling
- Keeping them stocked with fresh, nourishing food that people can cook with dignity
- Supporting volunteers — many of whom were once recipients — to keep the fridge running with heart and consistency

This isn’t just about giving. It’s about building something together — with trust, respect, and the belief that no one should face hard times alone.

I know many of you spend your days solving big, complex problems. But sometimes, the most meaningful solutions begin right here — in our neighbourhoods, with a fridge, and a community that refuses to let anyone go hungry.

This is something we can solve together — not with grand gestures, but with steady kindness, a bit of heart, and the belief that every neighbourhood deserves dignity, care, and support.

If you’re able, a monthly donation makes an even bigger difference — helping us plan ahead, keep fridges filled longer, and support more families in more neighbourhoods, week after week.

And if you can’t give today, you can still help by sharing this story. Because the more hearts we reach, the more homes — and neighbourhoods — we can nourish.