Two years ago Margaret McGrath decided that since she and her husband Paul were living comfortably, she would do something to help people who didn’t have enough.

The couple set up a street pantry outside their Ngunnawal home, with the philosophy that people should take what they need and give when they could.

Since then, Ngunnawal Street Pantries (NSP) has “grown into something quite massive” as more people became involved and more pantries established.

Working with other volunteers and charities, Paul and Margaret have established nine street pantries in four locations catering to different needs. There are pantries for clothes, household goods, children’s toys, women’s and babies’ needs, including toiletries, and more.

Recently the couple decided to add container recycling as a way to bring in funds via the ACT Container Deposit Scheme, which allows people to return eligible bottles, cans and cartons and be refunded 10c per item.

“In May we set up the wheelie bin out the front of our place, where people can donate their containers for us to then return via the Scheme,” Paul said.

“We’ve raised maybe $1,000 to $1,500 through container refunds so far - the back of the car has been filled several times over.”

Paul and Margaret use the funds to support domestic violence survivors and homeless people, and donate to TIMBA (This Is My Brave Australia), a charity that aims to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental health.

“People in need can have varying mental health conditions so there is a natural link between TIMBA and NSP,” said Paul.

Paul said the pantries also “cater for the ‘working poor’ and ‘in-betweeners’ - people who are not on benefits, but are doing it hard and may occasionally need help.”

“We see the food pantry as for immediate crisis and the other pantries as preventative,” he said.

“When people who are struggling can access clothes, toys, and household items, it means they can avoid being driven to crisis point by these expenses.”

Paul adds that they work hard to ensure the pantries are inclusive and friendly, so everyone feels welcome.

“Transgender people have told me the clothes pantry is really useful because the cost of new clothes add up and they can face judgement in shops, so instead they can just come here and choose what they like.”

Eligible bottles and cans for recycling through the ACT CDS can be taken to 22 Bullala Court, Ngunnawal. Donations for the other street pantries can also be dropped there.

Read more about the ACT Container Deposit Scheme: https://actcds.com.au/