If you have been driving along Government Street recently, you may have noticed some brightly colored shacks in front of Yes We Cannibal Art Space and The Red Shoes Non-profit Center. 

Although they look small, these sheds provide community refrigerators and pantry for all local residents. In the Baton Rouge community refrigerator, anyone can take what they need and do all they can to support those struggling with food insecurity. 

There are refrigerators and freezers in small sheds, which usually store dairy products, frozen dinners, and ready-to-eat meals. In the storage room part of the shed, you can find non-perishable items such as canned vegetables, soup and boxed pasta. 

Baton Rouge Community Fridge volunteers and co-founder of Yes We Cannibal Mat Keel said that this project was born after seeing similar refrigerators appear in other big cities. Keel co-founded the refrigerator with a group of volunteers. He said that the refrigerators all help each other.

"For me, mutual assistance is a non-transactional care for other people, and you get nothing," Keel said. "It's about taking care of other people's survival."

Soon after the refrigerator outside Yes We Cannibal debuted at 1600 Government St. in Septembeer, another refrigerator appeared at The Red Shoes, 2303 Government St. in late October.

Wendy Herschman, executive director of The Red Shoes, said she came up with this idea after receiving an email about finding the location of a community refrigerator in Baton Rouge. "We were involved from the beginning," Herschman said. "I liked this idea from the beginning."

Although all donations are welcome, Keel and Herschman stated that some donations are more helpful than others. The most in-demand items in the two refrigerators are ready-to-eat foods, beverages, frozen foods and meal packs. Keel said people who use refrigerators may not have the right kitchen tools to prepare foods that require a lot of preparation. 

When donating to community refrigerators, Keel wants people to keep certain things in mind. "Give up your expectations of poverty, or why you think people use this kind of refrigerator," he said. "Put something you can eat. Treat others like a human being; don't treat these refrigerators like your own kitchen. The most important thing is to have empathy."

Herschman said that in the location of The Red Shoes, she hopes to see more donations of healthier foods, such as agricultural products and fruits. "We hope that the refrigerator will always be a means of transportation," she said. "We want people to care about what they put in the refrigerator. This has a huge impact on the health of those using donations."

Both Keel and Herschman hope that more people will know the refrigerator and spread the word. The more donations, the better. But they also want those in need to know about this free resource in their community. 

Herschman said: "These refrigerators tell people who often feel invisible, that people there are caring." "You don't have to cross any obstacles to get what you need. You just need to open the door of the shed."

Go to the Instagram of Baton Rouge Community Fridges to learn more about how to help, what to donate, and updates on the two refrigerators.