A mutual aid group in Gowanus launched a free store to help their neighbors in need.

Shelves filled with toys, canned food, shoes and more can be found along Bond Street and Douglas Street.

The initiative started by The Gowanus Mutual Aid allows anyone to donate goods to the store and anyone to take whatever they need at no cost.

Co-founder of the group, Ava Cotlowitz, is a teacher and says she had the idea to start the group after seeing how families at her school struggled during the pandemic.

She says the free store is just one thing that the group has planned to give back.

"Many people right now aren't able to leave their homes," Cotlowitz says. "They're not able to get food, they have maybe lost their jobs. So we're trying to help raise money and purchase groceries, deliver groceries to our neighbors who need food right now, as well as provide some essential items."

The group is also planning a toy drive ahead of the holidays.