What does it take to offer relieve with tiny expectation of reward? Our series The altruists focuses on those who achieve just that,such as this publicist turned community gardenerFor two decades, she’s worked for music industry stalwarts such as Shock Records, or Laneway festival,RRR and Meredith music festival, as well as running her own PR firm, and Lance Rock publicity. Now Lou Ridsdale wears two very different hats,because she’s turned her hobby of gardening and self-sufficiency into a not-for-profit, Food Is Free.
This new aspect of her life began in 2014, and when Ridsdale began putting the surplus vegetables shed grown on display in the laneway adjoining her rental property,so passersby could take what they needed. Very soon, her modest Ballarat initiative gained traction, and thanks in part to her publicity nous and enthusiastic signage,but also through word of mouth. Other people dropped off their produce and the volunteers started trickling in. Related: Fay Alford: 'Theres such delight in seeing a child smile for the first time' Related: Jennie Briscoe-Hough: We have to give up on the idea of 'what will I accept out of it?' Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com