About Us

The Friendly Fridge Network began with a simple idea: food should be free, accessible and shared without judgment.

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of high school students wanted to find a way to help families in their community who were struggling to access food. In October 2020, they opened The Heights Friendly Fridge in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The bright purple refrigerator was plugged in by a local deli, painted by neighborhood artists and stocked with food by volunteers. There were no applications, no proof of need and no questions asked. Anyone who needed food could take it.

What began with one refrigerator and a group of students determined to make a difference has grown into a student-led nonprofit working to address food insecurity across the tri-state area.

More than a Fridge

Today, the Friendly Fridge Network works with schools, nonprofits and community partners to make food more accessible to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Our programs have grown beyond community refrigerators to include Friendly Fridges, Friendly Freezers, school-based food rescue programs, pantry support and large-scale holiday food distributions.

Why it Matters

Even before the pandemic, millions of Americans struggled to access consistent, nutritious food. In places like Kings County, food insecurity affected nearly one in five residents at its peak. And while large systems—government programs, nonprofits, food banks—play a critical role, they don’t always reach people in the moments that matter most.

Community fridges fill that gap.

They offer immediacy, dignity, and choice.

They allow someone to grab groceries on their own time, without waiting in line or explaining their circumstances. They turn giving into something participatory, local, and continuous.

And perhaps most importantly, they remind us that care doesn’t have to be complicated to be real.

Student-Led, Community-Powered

Under the leadership of Ryan Hirschhorn, Marley Frieman, Ella Hoberman, and Henry Jager-Hyman, a dedicated group of student volunteers plays an active role in the Friendly Fridge Network.

They help manage our fridge and freezer locations, organize food drives, host fundraisers, start FFN clubs at their schools, recruit volunteers, and help run events like our annual Holiday Giveaway.

Where We’re Going

What started with one fridge has grown into a network, and it’s still expanding.

The goal is not just to install more refrigerators, but to build a national movement around food justice that is:

accessible (no barriers to giving or receiving),
replicable (any community can start one), and
human-centered (grounded in dignity, not bureaucracy).

We believe communities already have what they need to care for one another. The Friendly Fridge Network exists to make that care visible, and easier to act on.

Get Involved

You don’t need permission to participate.

If you’re near a fridge, you can contribute.
If you see a need, you can start one.
If you believe food should be shared freely, you’re already part of this.

Because at its core, this isn’t just about refrigerators.

It’s about building a culture where looking out for each other is normal—and where no one has to wonder where their next meal is coming from.

Get Involved