MAURICE, La. (KLFY) -- A community fridge at Landry's Pharmacy in Maurice has become an essential resource for local residents, providing food support in uncertain times.

Originally started as a project by the UL Nursing Program four years ago, the fridge is now maintained by local volunteers and serves as a vital part of the community's support network.

"So, I called the nursing program, and they said the nursing students had graduated so they were no longer part of this program," said Jody Landry of Landry's Pharmacy. "So virtually it was ended. Somebody got wind of it and some gentleman came by and said they would donate a fridge. So, then it just continued from there,"

Landry notes that the pharmacy sees several drop-offs and pick-ups each day, highlighting the fridge's role in fostering neighborly support.

"More than ever, we have several cars come every day, looking for what's in or calling us to ask 'hey, what's in the fridge?' We don't always know but because we don't always check but sometimes, we do. So, it is highly utilized," Landry said.

The community fridge, while not a substitute for a full month of SNAP benefits, represents a practical, neighborhood-led solution that has become more critical than initially expected.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.

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