Mary Stumpp, aka the Can Lady, recycles aluminium cans for charity

Mary Stumpp has met a lot of people driving "Carmella," a 1993 beat-up, caramel-colored Chevrolet pickup overflowing with garbage bags full of aluminum cans around Broad Ripple and other parts.

On her drives, the 51-year-old introduces herself as "The Can Lady," often abruptly pulling to the side of the road three or four times to pick up a stray can here and there before reaching the next stop on her route. She collects and recycles aluminum cans for her personal charitable cause, the Can Lady Project.

"I'm not worried about where my next meal is coming from," she said. "This is just my community service for all the times I didn't get caught -- and it suits my schedule."

Stumpp was prompted to action four years ago after a young neighbor told her about some kids who couldn't afford the fees for an overnight field trip to the Indianapolis Zoo.

Working for Broad Ripple Power & Lighting, where copper wire is recycled, and wanting to do something in which kids could participate, Stumpp said collecting and recycling aluminum cans to scrap for cash "just fell into place."

"With kids drinking soda pop, isn't it kind of ironic that you can take something that's so bad for you and turn it into something that's positive?" she said.

She raised $55 that first year. The next year, Stumpp met with Betsy Walker, a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Center for Inquiry School 384. A contest was started to see who could collect the most cans. The result: $500 raised in four months.

Since starting the Can Lady Project, Stumpp has made more than $5,000. She distributes small grants to help local teachers buy classroom supplies, favoring projects that have a broad-base use. She is especially supportive of health and fitness, art and music, although math, science and technology items are also considered for grants.