In Los Angeles, several “community fridges” have appeared on the streets of the city since the beginning of July. Their goal ? Help those in need, especially after the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
On a sidewalk in Los Angeles, sits a red refrigerator with a message in white letters: “free food“. Milk, fruit, vegetables, chicken and cheese, everything is available to those who need it. This is one of the”community fridges“having appeared on the streets of the city since early July, to respond to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic when the poverty rate was already very high.
No one is there to monitor the devices. There is no queue or form to fill out, anyone can help themselves, 24 hours a day. “If you need to empty the fridge, no one is going to judge you. If you need a tomato, or if you only put one tomato in it, you can“Marina Vergara, volunteer and organizer of LA Community Fridges, who has already installed seven devices in the city and wants to put more, told AFP.”The concept of having these community bridges in neighborhoods across the city makes this kind of help more accessible.“, she explains.
“This fridge is yours with everything in it”
The idea was inspired by a similar initiative launched in New York. The fridges are painted in bright colors to stand out in the cityscape, and carry messages in English and Spanish. Next to it are crates full of canned goods and cereals. Some pass by to leave clothes and shoes. “This fridge is yours with everything in itsays the message on the red fridge in Mid City, where, as in many places in Los Angeles, modern, plush homes coexist with more modest dwellings.
Restaurants, supermarkets, NGOs and neighbors help keep the appliances full. “The reaction from the community has been amazing, pure love“says Danny Dierich, manager of the Little Amsterdam café, which supplies electricity to one of the devices in front of his establishment.”People come every day and put things in it, it’s beautiful“, he adds.”We are having a very unusual time“, he emphasizes.”Businesses have closed, people have lost their jobs, and they need to feed their families.“
Out of sight and out of judgment
California recently had to shut down part of its economy in the wake of the worrying surge in coronavirus cases, which are concentrated in Los Angeles County. Bars, dining rooms, hairdressers and other businesses had to lower the curtain again, leaving many unemployed. Local authorities, as well as NGOs, churches and schools, have set up food banks and soup kitchens to help the most vulnerable.
But Ms. Vergara, who received help from the NGO Reach for the Top for this project, explains that undocumented people do not dare to go there, for fear of being arrested. Other residents are simply ashamed to be seen there. “There is a negative connotation to standing in line for help“, she said. Hence the idea of these”heart fridges“which can be used”anytime, at five in the morning or in the afternoon“, she concludes. Sheltered from view and judgment.
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