Starting a Community Fridge
Hosting a Community Fridge starts with providing a space (with a power source!) where your community can easily access the fridge for donating and receiving at any time. Hosting a fridge also means that you are introducing yourself to your neighbors as a new Community Fridge host! We encourage hosts to take their new community role as a way to inspire and involve the support of their neighbors in making sure that this effort is collectively impactful.
BRCF’s intention with Community Fridges is to normalize mutual aid and strengthen the bond created within community care; a fridge in your neighborhood brings you closer to your neighbor. BRCF unequivocally does not support the intervention of law enforcement or policing of each other. If you feel that someone is interacting with your fridge in a way that is not in line with the intentions, please be sure to check your biases first. Then, check in with your community to find solutions that address the root of your concern.
Although BRCF aims to create a network of community fridges and volunteers in Baton Rouge, we are not a regulatory authority on community fridges. Anyone is free to start a community fridge at their business or residence, with or without the assistance of BRCF. We encourage hosts to take autonomy in this mutual aid project.
We are happy to assist however we can in setting up a community fridge for those who share our values:
- To normalize mutual aid
- To avoid calling law enforcement and avoid policing how much people take from the fridge
- To allow anyone to take from or give to the fridge
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to start your own community fridge.
Step 1: Talk to your neighbors
Talk to your neighbors to ensure the community fridge will be a welcome presence in the neighborhood. Now is a good time to discuss how to navigate potential conflict without involving the cops.
Step 2: Set a plan
Start planning the details. Your fridge will need a weatherproof shed if it will be outdoors.
It will also need to be cleaned and checked on at least once a day (2+ times is ideal). Now is a good time to start spreading the word to potential volunteers who can help with building the shed and daily cleaning. We can also reach out to our network of volunteers.
Step 3: Acquire your materials
You'll need a refrigerator and materials for building the shed. We recommend checking Nextdoor, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace for free or discounted finds. We can also assist in finding these things and help with purchases if we have funds available.
Step 4: Announce the opening of your fridge & spread the word
Put signage or write Free Food on your shed. We can announce the opening of your fridge and regular updates on our IG account. Try to use all the languages spoken in your neighborhood. Consider painting the fridge and/or shed. We can assist in finding a volunteer for that.
Ways BRCF Can Assist
We are happy to answer any and all questions and share with you everything we've learned.
BRCF can also assist with the following, as resources allow:
- Helping to fund startup costs (if funds are available)
- Regularly posting updates of your fridge on our Instagram account
- Assisting in finding volunteers to help build the shed
- Assisting in finding volunteers to help clean the fridge
- Reaching out to our network and Instagram followers to request donations of a refrigerator, shed materials, etc.