In a bustling North Philadelphia hospital, where caregivers juggle medical appointments and daily struggles, a simple solution is making a big impact: a Philadelphia nonprofit placed bright yellow refrigerators in public spaces for individuals to donate excess food or freely take what they need.

Through the partnership between the Mama-Tee Community Fridge Project and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children — operated by Drexel University and Tower Health — families found everything from food to diapers and even laundry detergent, no questions asked.

The community fridge plays a small role in ensuring that caregivers don’t carry the dual burden of navigating health care and securing a meal.

About 30% to 40% of St. Christopher’s families experience food insecurity, estimates St. Christopher’s pediatrician Renee Turchi, clinical research professor of community health and prevention at the Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health; program director of the Drexel Maternal and Child Health Program; and professor and chair of pediatrics in the College of Medicine. She helped lead the food donation project spearheaded by Maura Heidig, director of population health at St. Christopher’s.

The refrigerator contains fresh fruit; vegetables; whole grains products like bread, rice and pasta; canned goods; and healthy grab-and-go snacks like granola bars and trail mix. The ongoing effort to stock the St. Chris fridge is made possible with the support of hospital personnel, volunteers, donations, grant funding and local grocery stores and restaurants sharing excess produce and products

“This is a space free from judgment,” says Turchi. “People can take what they need whenever they need it and know we are here for them. This represents the heart of St. Chris.”