Seeing a barber pole usually signals it’s time for a trim, but in Grande Prairie it has become a beacon of hope.
Outside Best Barber downtown, a full‑sized refrigerator is bolted to the sidewalk, offering an almost limitless supply of food, water and homemade treats to anyone who needs them. But owner Zekra Aboushah says the fridge is just the latest chapter of an idea that began in the winter months.
Aboushah says her desire to give a simple kindness to those in need became urgent after she saw someone eating snow off a bench because there were no other options. It was a heartbreaking moment she hopes to prevent whenever possible.
“It would be a good idea to put something outside for them so they don’t have to come in and ask for it,” she said.
What started as individual handouts grew into a cooler—an idea friends discouraged, fearing it might be stolen. When that did happen, it only strengthened Aboushah’s resolve.
“I guess everybody in town knows it’s been stolen. I thought, that’s not going to stop me. I’m going to buy a bigger fridge. When I see how much people use it—how they just take what they need, not everything—and some of them come and thank the guys for doing this, it just makes me want to keep going,” she said.
Aboushah plans to continue adding items to the collection area. She believes the initiative could spark “a new trend” in helping others across Grande Prairie.
“I am hoping the fridge will be like the little libraries soon,” she said. “That you’ll see a fridge outside to help others. It’s not just in this area—there are other neighbourhoods where people are struggling. So if we can help them, why not? If you have something you’re not using, put it in the fridge so it can be used.”
