In the Main Street of Longford, on the footpath just outside the Real Estate Agent's, there's a cupboard with a sign reading Longford Community Pantry. Every day, people put in any surplus food they have, extra fruit from their apple tree, the last few loaves before the bakers shuts its door, and so on. The idea is that, if you're struggling or waiting for your next bit of dole money, you can help yourself to what's in the pantry. We put bits and pieces in there from time to time.
Locals are very proud of the initiative and it's well-supported. Every now and again, though, somebody goes too far and the Community Facebook Page is filled with outrage. One time, somebody from Cressy, the next town, was seen emptying the pantry and driving off. Or, someone complains that they put in 2 dozen eggs and somebody took the lot.
I'm following the latest scandal with interest. On the other side of the road from the pantry, outside the Commonwealth Bank, is a seat, put there for weary travellers. Some women have been observed sitting there, 'all day', watching the pantry. When they see someone making a donation, they hurry across the street and 'take the lot'. What makes it interesting is that the women in question are Pacific Islanders, the partners of men from Tonga, Fiji, etc, employed to work at the Meat Works or as pickers at the local farms.
So, in sleepy Longford, we have a genuine Racist Scandal brewing. I'll be watching its development with interest.
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