Calumet Free Fridge

09/24/2025

When the news first spread through town that the building that The Office Shop in Calumet was being sold, hearts grew heavy.

That building wasn’t just another storefront; it was the home of the local food pantry— The Calumet Free Fridge----a place where hundreds of families had walked through its doors with worry and walked out with hope.

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

For weeks, the community held its breath, not knowing if this lifeline would be forced to move or shut down.

Then came the announcement. The building had officially been sold—and the pantry would remain.

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

The joy was contagious. People spoke not only of relief but of possibility—plans for new programs, dreams of serving more families, visions of hope blooming from what could have been loss.

In the end, it wasn’t just about a building changing hands, It was about a community realizing how strong it could be when people came together.

It was about the promise that hunger would not win, that dignity would be preserved, and that tomorrow could hold more than enough for everyone.

The Office Shop is very Grateful and Blessed to continue serving our community in as many ways as possible!

31 Years has flown bye and each and every day has been such a Gift!

So many Laughs and Tears of Joy!!!

Thank you for your continued support that offers HOPE to HUNDREDS of people in need.....Each and Every Month!

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

Ron Rea

The Calumet Free Fridge's mission is to provide the people of Calumet and surrounding area, access to free local produce, meat and goods, no questions asked.

09/16/2025

Thank you, Copper Country Ford for offering HOPE to so Many in our COMMUNITY with your Loving Donation to The Calumet Free Fridge! Ron Rea

“During the month of September, Ford Dealers around the world are joining together in
our quest to conduct the World’s Largest Dealer Food Drive*.

Help us fight food insecurity in our community by dropping off canned goods in our
showroom from 09/15 to 09/25.

*Calculated by number of Ford Dealers Participating in Collection of Donated Food”

09/16/2025

✨ The Power of a Day, the Beauty of a Moment ✨

Every day at The Calumet Free Fridge and Food Pantry tells a story. A story of neighbors helping neighbors, of hands reaching out, and of hearts lifting one another up.

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

Sometimes it’s a bag of groceries. Sometimes it’s a smile.

Sometimes it’s simply the reminder that you are not alone. 💚

The power of a single day can change a life.
The beauty of a single moment can remind someone of their worth.

That’s what this space is about—dignity, love, and respect, shared one moment at a time.

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

Thank you to every volunteer, donor, and friend who makes these moments possible. Together, we’re not just filling fridges—we’re filling lives with hope.

$4000 is needed Each and Every Month to continue to offer HOPE to Hundreds and Hundreds of people in our Community....Each and Every Month!

Please continue Giving what you can as often as you can!

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

Thank you!

Ron Rea

The Calumet Free Fridge's mission is to provide the people of Calumet and surrounding area, access to free local produce, meat and goods, no questions asked.

09/15/2025

BIG NEWS! 🌟

The Calumet Free Fridge and Food Pantry Programs are here to stay!

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

With the sale of The Office Shop building now complete, we are thrilled to share that our programs will remain right where they are—serving the community with dignity, love, and respect.

💚 Thank you to the new building owner for supporting our mission and believing in the power of community!

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

Ron Rea

The Calumet Free Fridge's mission is to provide the people of Calumet and surrounding area, access to free local produce, meat and goods, no questions asked.

09/11/2025

Calumet is celebrating 150 YEARS this year!!!

The Office Shop in Calumet is celebrating 77 YEARS this YEAR!

The past few weeks has been very trying on our Community with the news that the BUILDING which The Office Shop in Calumet rents and has for 13 Years on a Month to Month lease has been sold!

The closing on that sale will be in a few weeks!

With the sale of any building there are several unanswered questions regarding the future of the business that is renting the building!

The ANXIETY in our COMMUNITY is COMPOUNDED by the fact inside The Office Shop in Calumet MIRACLES and HOPE happen everyday and have for several YEARS, Where The Calumet Free Fridge and Food Pantry Programs offers HOPE to so MANY!!!

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

The thought of over 650 people every month that uses The Calumet Free Fridge and Food Pantry Programs not being able to receive the HOPE that they had is very CONCERNING to MANY!

I have spent HUNDREDS of HOURS the past few weeks trying to come up with a solution that will continue to offer HOPE, LOVE and RESPECT to HUNDREDS in our COMMUNITY!

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

Here is a PRESS RELEASE I would like to announce to the Television, Radio and Newspapers that saves not only The Office Shop in Calumet but will allow The Calumet Free Fridge and Food Pantry Programs not only to continue to offer the HOPE, LOVE and DIGNITY for many years, but to continue to GROW and SERVE EVERYONE that could use a HELPING HAND!

Please REMEMBER that this PRESS RELEASE has not HAPPENED YET!!!

Please feel free to share this post, Press Release and your thoughts in your post to reach as many people as possible in our community!

Whatever lies ahead in the weeks to come.....It has been such an AMAZING GIFT and BLESSING to share so many tears of JOY and HOPE with so MANY in our COMMUNITY!

Sincerely,

Ron Rea

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

BIG NEWS FOR OUR COMMUNITY!

When a new buyer took ownership of the building that houses The Calumet Free Fridge and Food Pantry Programs, they made a decision that put Dignity, Love, and Respect above the bottom line.

Instead of raising costs, the new owner has rolled the rent back 13 years and LOCKED it in for years to come!

This incredible act ensures that The Calumet Free Fridge and Food Pantry Programs can continue serving hundreds of families with stability and hope—without the constant fear of being gone from our community!

This isn’t just a business move—it’s a commitment to the heart of our community. 💚

Because when dignity is honored, when love leads the way, and when respect is shown—everyone wins.

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

REMEMBER.......This is an IDEA that is trying to save The Office Shop, Calumet Free Fridge and Food Pantry Programs!

Stay tuned to see if this works!!!

Thank you!

Ron Rea

The Calumet Free Fridge's mission is to provide the people of Calumet and surrounding area, access to free local produce, meat and goods, no questions asked.

09/06/2025

Thank you to our wonderful farmers for their generosity and support! Thank you to Mountain Sunny Acres (Ontonagon). We appreciate your coming up to be a part of the Calumet’s farmers market and sharing with the local free fridge!

09/02/2025

What lingered in the air was uncertainty.

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

Everyone knew that the building the pantry had called home for years might be sold at any moment. The roof above their heads could soon belong to someone else. The future was fragile, but the present was still theirs.

And so, they chose to be present.

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

For the families carrying their bags home, it wasn’t just food—it was proof that, at least today, they weren’t alone. For the volunteers, it wasn’t just service—it was living out love in the moment, despite the storm clouds ahead.

No one knew if the pantry would still be here next month, but they knew it was here today. And today, that was enough.

Because the power of being present isn’t about controlling the future. It’s about showing up, heart open, even when tomorrow feels uncertain. It’s about feeding not just bodies, but hope.

And hope, once shared, cannot be sold or taken away.

The Calumet Free Fridge and Food Pantry is VERY PRESENT TODAY!

Many years ago, The Office Shop made a CHOICE!

The Office Shop decided to feed not only the bellies of those in need but the spirit and mind of people in our community!

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

The Office Shop knew that the CHOICE of personally doing with a little less to give HOPE to others, was not an easy one, but a choice that ran deep in the soul of the owner, Ron Rea.

When a person makes a CHOICE to buy any item from The Office Shop whatever funds needed to feed the HUNDREDS of People in need in our community takes PRIOTY!

Each and Every Month, The Office Shop takes inventory of what is needed to provide HOPE to those in need!

When the Food Donations, Cash Donations, Credit Card Donations, Paypal, and Venmo Donations and items donated to raise money for The Calumet Free Fridge and Food Pantry to buy food for those in need fall a little short, The Office Shop is happy to fill the GAP!

I truly believe that when much is given, Much is expected!

The Copper Country has given me and my Family so much the past 31 Years, It is an Honor and a Privilege to Give Back!

Please continue to DONATE what you can!

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

Thank you!

Ron Rea

The Calumet Free Fridge's mission is to provide the people of Calumet and surrounding area, access to free local produce, meat and goods, no questions asked.

08/27/2025

I have heard this from many people and wanted to share it with our community!

When Jesus Took My Hand and Led Me to the Calumet Free Fridge

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

There was a time in my life when I felt like I had nothing left to hold onto. Bills stacked high, groceries seemed smaller with each paycheck, and my spirit was running on empty. One night in prayer, I asked the Lord to show me the way. In that quiet moment, I felt something powerful—like Jesus reaching out His hand and gently guiding me forward.

Not long after, I heard about the Calumet Free Fridge. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But when I arrived, I saw shelves filled with food, fresh vegetables, bread, milk, and even the little things that make a home feel cared for. More than that, I saw kindness, generosity, and neighbors loving neighbors. It wasn’t just food—it was hope.

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

That fridge isn’t just a place to grab a meal. It’s a symbol of God’s provision working through the hands of everyday people in the Copper Country. Families who once struggled silently are now nourished, children go to school with full bellies, and elders find relief knowing they won’t have to choose between medicine and food.

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

The Calumet Free Fridge is making a positive difference in hundreds of lives here. It’s proof that when we walk hand in hand with Jesus, miracles don’t just happen in stories from long ago—they’re happening right now, in our neighborhoods, in the Copper Country, and in the hearts of everyone who dares to give and receive with love.

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

The Love and Compassion that pours out from our community to lend a Helping Hand to those in need is............AMAZING!

Thank you for your CONTINUED SUPPORT that offers.....HOPE........ to so many!!!

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

Ron Rea

Calumet Free Fridge
The Calumet Free Fridge's mission is to provide the people of Calumet and surrounding area, access to free local produce, meat and goods, no questions asked.

The Calumet Free Fridge's mission is to provide the people of Calumet and surrounding area, access to free local produce, meat and goods, no questions asked.

08/19/2025

Thank you Louie's Fresh Market in Lake Linden!

They donated about 1000 packs of cheese!

https://www.facebook.com/calumetfreefridge/

A hamburger feeds hunger, but a cheeseburger feeds the soul. 🧀🍔

There are FIVE varieties to choose from and everyone is allowed to PICK ONE EVERY VISIT!

Ron Rea

08/12/2025

Range Bank NA Donates $600 to Calumet Free Fridge, Highlighting the Power of Local Giving

The Calumet Free Fridge, a grassroots food bank dedicated to fighting hunger in the Keweenaw Peninsula, received a $600 boost this week thanks to a generous donation from Range Bank NA.

Calumet Free Fridge

It’s not just about the money — it’s about knowing our local businesses believe in supporting the people who live here.

The contribution will help stock the Free Fridge’s shelves with fresh produce, pantry staples, and household essentials for individuals and families facing food insecurity. The organization, run entirely by volunteers, operates on the belief that access to food is a basic human right.

Calumet Free Fridge

Local leaders say donations like this highlight the importance of hometown businesses investing back into their communities.

Beyond the financial support, such partnerships can inspire other organizations and residents to step forward, creating a ripple effect of generosity.

Range Bank has been a part of this community for over 154 years, and giving back is part of who they are!

Range Bank NA believes that strong communities are built when everyone pitches in, and we’re proud to help the Calumet Free Fridge continue its work.

The Calumet Free Fridge has seen an increase in demand in recent months due to rising food costs and economic uncertainty. Donations from individuals, businesses, and civic groups are essential to keeping their shelves stocked and their mission alive.

Calumet Free Fridge

As Range Bank NA’s gift demonstrates, when local businesses give back, they’re doing more than writing a check — they’re investing in the well-being of the community that supports them.

Feeding HUNDREDS of people in need each and every month, takes a HUGE COMMITTMENT from our COMMUNITY!

Calumet Free Fridge

Thank you Range Bank NA for helping to offer HOPE to so many in need!

Ron Rea

08/10/2025

August 9th- another great haul! Support your local farmers!!!

08/02/2025

August 2. WOW! Lettuce, kale, cukes, beets , broccoli , onions, basil, dill, parsley, carrots, fennel and oyster mushrooms….
And more…..

Thank you to all of our wonderful farmers ♥️