Temperature has gone rogue in Shanghai these days, as the past weeks saw eight consecutive heatwave alerts. Thankfully, as a report by The Paper shows, shared refrigerators have provided traces of coolness for those who have to work despite scorching weather.
One of these refrigerators near the Caoyang Lu metro station has been providing sanitation workers, traffic police and deliverymen with free bottled water.
Image via The Paper
"It's based on a similar initiative set up in Hangzhou a while back." said Mr Wang, an organizer at Touch Shanghai, "We want to bring out the kindness in people here as well. As it turns out, the success is way beyond our expectation. Countless individuals and corporate companies have contacted us and offered to supply free drinks or refrigerators."
As the initiative attracts social media attention, civilans have also started donating free drinks. It didn't take long before the Caoyang Lu refrigerator is fully stuffed, while further donations were stockpiled on the ground.
And while an attached poster clearly states that drinks are free of charge, many passers-by are uneasy about taking these themselves. "It's my first time taking water from a shared refrigerator, and I'm feeling a little embarrassed." Mr Wu, a sanitation worker, tells Shanghai Morning Post. "Our company offers us bottled water every day as well, but they get used up in no time because it's so hot out there."
Image via Shanghai Morning Post
Reckons and beckons aside, there are also voices speculating that the initiative might be driven by commercial interests. In response to these, Wang emphasizes that the operation is based entirely on donation.
Following popular reception, more shared refrigerators have sprung up across the city, and will service those in need through September.
[Cover image via The Paper]
