Brisbane Community Pantry Fights to Stay After Complaints

A free food pantry that's been rescuing groceries and feeding struggling families in Brisbane is facing closure after neighbors reported it to city council.

Nelika McDonald and her husband James Paterson started the Everton Park Community Pantry in 2024 outside their home, stocking it with bread, canned goods, and fresh produce that would otherwise end up in landfill. The cabinet, table, and shelter sit on the public kerbside, refilled twice daily by volunteers.

Four residents complained to Brisbane City Council about "safety concerns" and blocked footpath access. Council officers visited McDonald on Wednesday, saying she was illegally placing items on public land.

McDonald says volunteers keep the footpath clear for pedestrians and can't understand the complaints. "We've been operating for two years now and we don't see the harm in what we're doing," she said. "The pantry is for people in need, which there's a lot of at the moment with the cost of living crisis."

For 68-year-old Cath Mulcahy, those words hit home. She discovered the pantry two years ago after losing her home at age 66, living in her car and struggling to afford food.

"I opened the door and got a can of tuna and a can of beans, and I had lunch," Mulcahy said. "Otherwise I would not have had anything to eat." She now relies on the pantry regularly and has built friendships with other users, many of them older homeless women facing similar struggles.

The Ripple Effect

The pantry does double duty for the community. It diverts perfectly good food from landfills while feeding families hit hardest by rising living costs. McDonald and the volunteers have created more than a food source. They've built a gathering place where homeless neighbors find both meals and human connection.

Brisbane City Council says they recognize the pantry's importance and want the work to continue. A spokesperson confirmed they're in ongoing discussions to "find a practical way forward that supports its important work while addressing the safety concerns that have been raised."

The council's commitment to finding a solution means this community lifeline has a fighting chance to keep serving those who need it most.