Brooklyn, New York
A public art and mutual aid project connecting neighbors to free food — one text message at a time.
Our Mission
The Community Fridge Initiative is a non-commercial project dedicated to connecting people experiencing food insecurity with free community fridges across New York City. We believe that access to food should never depend on income, documentation, or circumstance.
Using a simple SMS interface displayed on a public art projection in DUMBO, Brooklyn, we make it easy for anyone to find a community fridge near them — instantly, privately, and without any barriers.
We don't collect data. We don't send recurring messages. We just help people find food.
How It Works
A public art installation in DUMBO, Brooklyn displays a simple call to action and a phone number visible to anyone passing by.
Text the number from any phone. No app download, no account, no data required. One message is all it takes.
Receive an instant, one-time reply with a link to FridgeFinder.app/browse — a community-maintained map of free fridges near you.
We believe communities take care of each other. This project is rooted in the tradition of mutual aid — neighbors helping neighbors, unconditionally.
We do not store, share, or sell any data. Your phone number is used solely to send one message. After that, it's gone.
No app, no account, no English required. If you have a phone that can send a text, you can use this service. Full stop.
Public art should do more than decorate. This project uses creative intervention to build real infrastructure for food access in our city.
Text our number to receive a one-time message with a link to community fridges near you. No subscription. No spam. Just food.