Orillia teen looks to tackle food insecurity in the Sunshine City
Orillia resident Myles Odlozinski is hoping to tackle food insecurity in the Sunshine City.
"Food insecurity is a massive issue in Orillia. It's not just a big city issue. It's right here in Orillia," says Odlozinski.
The 15-year-old has seen how food insecurity impacts the community.
"It's been made worse by rising food costs and the pandemic. There's been lots of issues for many people," says Odlozinski. "I've even seen a youth in my school having to rely on it."
Odlozinski proposed an idea for a community fridge to Orillia council back in June. It would provide access to fresh food at no cost for those who need it most.
"The motto is that the community fridge follows is take what you need, leave what you can. If you need to take a lot because you have a big family or take it for multiple members, there's no stigma," he says.
Council was impressed with his presentation. Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke says city staff were unanimously on board with the idea.
"This is a caring, giving community, and we can substantiate that with many examples; Myles taking on this initiative at his age is just that," says Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke. "It exemplifies that caring, and it is indeed inspiring."
Odlozinski hopes to partner with local businesses and restaurants to help the fridge remain fully stocked, with some already on board.
"We pick up a lot of surplus food that exists in the community at grocery stores or farms, and at times we have trouble handing it out because it needs to get out in the community. So we'll look at that community fridge like another agency in our community that we can support," says The Sharing Place Executive Director Chris Peacock.
Odlozinski proposed that the Orillia Public Library is the ideal location to offer accessibility all year long.
He also suggests that the location would reduce stigma around accessing food, since it's away from shelters and food banks.
Council is on board with the location.
"The library is in the core of the City. It's on a transit route. It's easy to access for pedestrians. There is some space that's been identified there," adds Mayor Clarke.
Odlozinski hopes the community will get involved and donate to the initiative.
"Any impact you can make in the community is always positive. It doesn't matter how young you are, just doing something little can go a long way."
The City is developing a staff report on the feasibility of the fridge.
Odlozinski hopes to hear back in the next few weeks and is optimistic that his proposal will become a reality.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.