Dear Community:

Team F.O.O.D. started the 24 Hour Citizen Project with a big goal in mind: establish three more free fridges and pantries (otherwise known as Freedges) in the Acadiana area. With the help of local resources and the funding provided by 24HCP, we were actually able to set out FOUR new locations for community fridges! Amazing!

The process of setting up a new fridge is quite lengthy. First, we have to find a willing sponsor to allow F.O.O.D. to place a fridge on their property. We must come to an agreement and establish guidelines with new fridge hosts, and line everything up legally for the fridge, structures, and hosts to be protected. Then, we must gather all the materials and set up a date with contractors to build shelters for the fridges. Lastly, it’s build day… we like to make it a big event when a new fridge is constructed, because it is a huge gift to the community!

Fridge #1 will be the Christian Life Center Community Fridge, located outside the church at 411 Verot School Road. This fridge will be run in part by The Brandon Mason Project, another wonderful local nonprofit. So far, we have had a fridge donated by Foodies of Lafayette, and we are scouting for materials. The build day is set for March 28… make a note! More details to follow. Side note: The Brandon Mason Project would like to involve the youth in decorating the fridge enclosure. We happen to love that idea!

Fridge #2 will be located in Breaux Bridge at Raccoon Oak Farms, which has all the supplies ready to go and is just awaiting their contractor. The build date is still to be determined, but we are aiming to have this fridge up and running before Festival Internationale 2026.
Fridge #3 will be at Grand Coteau’s Thensted Center, at 268 Church St. We will be reaching out to continue the process once the first two fridges are built, in early April.
Fridge #4 does not have a set location just yet, but it will be located as closely as possible to the Evangeline Thruway; any blocks of Willow, Moss, and the Thruway motel streets that would allow for safe pedestrian passage would be ideal.

Those are all the updates we have for now, Community, but rest assured that Team F.O.O.D. is working tirelessly to see these fridges come to life. Thank you for your love and support, check in with you soon!