Helping hands around Gawler #3 Grow Free Carts

I definitely like free things, so, over the next couple of weeks, I’m going around investigating the free stuff around Gawler. These will be things that you don’t need to sign up for, just visit anonymously.

Being typically me, my focus is on free food and information. I’ll steer away from money though.

These posts will be collated and listed on our page ‘Helping hands around Gawler‘.

Here’s this week’s…Grow Free Carts

Grow Free Carts are dotted around Gawler and its surrounds. The one we support is on Barnet Rd, outside of the deli and the old Matey’s Takeaway (which is sorely missed).

The Grow Free Carts are an excellent idea, springing from the generous spirit of Andrew Barker (who’s not a Gawlerite, but he’s still OK).

They are a really simple idea. Folks drop off excess or surplus food items and they, or other folks take what they need. There’s no need to give anything if you need to take anything, it’s not a system of direct exchange, only of generosity.

I’ve been critical of Grow Free in the past, because the needs of the Northern suburbs are different from those of the South, where the idea originated. However, they are still the best way to give anonymously to folks who may be in need of a bit of food for whatever reason.

The carts are also now used for books, clothing (there was an excellent leather police jacket on Barnet road the other day… hmmmm). I left it for someone who may need a warm coat in this weather.

Ostensibly, each cart has a steward who looks after the thing and stops it filling up with crap and old food, but out this way, I’ve not seen it happen since they were introduced. I don’t know who the steward is for ours.

There’s a whole heap of these carts all around, so rather than list them. I’ll give you links.

Here’s

their website

the Facebook group

a list of the cart locations

a map of cart locations

They’re pretty organized, so I’m pretty sure you’ll find one near you.