*Brashawnee Johnson set out to do something positive for her community. After discovering a community fridge and pantry in Opelousas, Louisiana, through a Facebook post, she decided she wanted to make a meaningful contribution.
What followed was an act of generosity that cost nearly $1,800—and an emotional experience she says she will never forget.
Johnson stocked the community fridge and pantry with groceries, snacks, and ready-to-eat food items intended to help people facing difficult circumstances. But when she returned less than an hour later, she found the shelves nearly empty.
A Social Media Post Sparked the Idea
The community fridge and pantry, located along South Court Street in Opelousas, was created to provide free meals, groceries, and basic food items to anyone who needs them.
Johnson said she first learned about the project through social media and immediately wanted to help.
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“I seen this on Facebook… I said I’m gonna go fill that fridge up when I get back to town,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who recently launched a nonprofit organization called The Village Foundation, decided to make a large donation. She spent nearly $1,800 purchasing food and supplies for people who may not have access to a home, electricity or cooking equipment, KATC is reporting.
Her shopping list focused on convenience and accessibility.
“I bought peanut butter and jelly, crackers, vienna sausages… things like that to where if you don’t have anything to cook it, you can still eat,” Johnson said.
The Discovery That Left Her Crying
After filling the fridge and pantry, Johnson expected the food to help families throughout the day. Instead, she returned less than an hour later and discovered almost everything had already been taken.
The sight overwhelmed her.
“When I opened the fridge and saw it completely empty, I just started crying again. I could not believe 3 to 4 people took all of this,” Johnson said.
Johnson said she is not judging the people who took the food. She recognizes that many families face hardships that are not always visible to others.
Still, she said it was difficult watching additional people arrive looking for food after the pantry had already been cleared out.
For Johnson, the experience highlighted just how quickly donated food can disappear once it becomes available.
Organizers Say It Happens More Often Than People Realize
Beth Jones, co-chair of the community giving fridge and pantry, said organizers understand why some people may take more food than others.
“We want you to take what you need to eat… sometimes when you’re hungry you don’t know where your next meal is gonna come from… so you might see people take more than one meal because they’re scared and they don’t know where the next meal is gonna come from,” Jones said.
According to Jones, situations like Johnson’s are not unusual for community fridges and pantries.
She expressed appreciation for Johnson’s donation and said community support remains essential to keeping the program operating.
“That’s such a wonderful thing to pay it forward like that… but people are hungry, so the food doesn’t last long… they say the same thing in Lafayette — food doesn’t last more than an hour or two,” Jones said.
Jones also noted that organizers cannot always know the circumstances of every person who takes food from the pantry.
Monitoring Efforts Continue
While organizers encourage people in need to use the pantry, they also want donations to benefit as many residents as possible.
Jones said organizers are working with local law enforcement and monitoring security cameras around the site.
“The Opelousas Police Department is going to start patrolling more often… we do have cameras to watch the feeds to see if it is being abused,” Jones said.
The goal, organizers say, is to ensure the pantry continues serving the community while discouraging misuse.
She Still Plans to Give Again
Despite the emotional experience, Johnson says she has no intention of walking away from the effort.
She plans to make future donations and hopes others will continue supporting the community fridge and pantry as well.
Although she was shocked by how quickly the food disappeared, Johnson remains committed to helping families who may be struggling.
In the end, the experience did not change her willingness to give. Instead, it reinforced her belief that community support matters—and that even a donation that disappears quickly can make a difference to someone in need.
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