Australia’s homeless population has increased by 13,988 since 2011… So, with the help of amazing partnerships and a team of brilliant volunteers by our side, we decided to take action!
On Thursday 19 April, more than 300 guests from Sydney’s most vulnerable communities gathered at The Addison Project complex for free haircuts, food, and services for the Eat.Shop.Chop event.
With the help from 80 exceptional volunteers, we were able to reach over 300 people who needed it most, providing…
300+ bags of groceries
270 hot meals
2,000 items of clothing
And, 105 fresh haircuts!
“Everyone deserves to feel confident and welcomed,” says Paul Frasca, Sustainable Salons Co-founder, “Which is what Eat.Shop.Chop is all about; we set out to provide those doing it tough with a sense of self-worth and connectedness to community. To elevate even one person’s quality of life – even if that’s just with a haircut – is what we’re all about.”
17 amazing hairdressers from 10 different salons offered their scissor skills on the day, giving a burst of confidence to everyone they served. With the generous support of EasyDry and Beautique Designs, guests of the Pop-up Salon had their hair cut in comfort and style with towels and custom capes.
Meet the brilliant Pop-up Salon team who made it all possible...
Mel Corthine, Stevie English Hair
Harrison Sansom, Stevie English Hair
Leah Rowley, Stevie English Hair
Lea-Ann Suthern, Toni&Guy Newtown
Annie Habib, Organic Hair Culture
Megan Moss, Eclectic Hair Face and Body
Kate Sweeney, Salon Renaissance
Ellie Martins, Wild Life Hair Origin
Sienna Prince Rankin, Wild Life Hair Origin
Leanne Devine, Headoffice Hair Specialist
Bernie Ryan, Headoffice Hair Specialist
Shannon McBride, Headoffice Hair Specialist
Nina Santucci, Access Hair
Virginie Gayssot, Franck Provost
Anais Aubrus, Franck Provost Bondi
Cecile Mezino, Freelance
Louison Brothier, Préma
When they weren’t getting their hair cut and styled at the Pop-up Salon, guests were visiting the OzHarvest Market for groceries or getting a bite to eat at the OzHarvest Food Truck. Since the OzHarvest Market opened one year ago, it has served over 35,000 customers from all over Sydney.
“The OzHarvest Market has become a real community hub, where people in need can access rescued food, enjoy a hot drink and a warm welcome from our volunteers,” says Ronni Kahn, OzHarvest Founder and CEO.
“I’m constantly overwhelmed by the heartfelt stories of compassion and connection generated from the market and there was no better way to celebrate its first birthday than with a community festival alongside the other amazing stakeholders at The Addison Project.”
Along with haircuts and food, guest could also visit the Thread Together shop to pick up brand new clothes. Thread Together collects and redistributes surplus clothing from fashion retailers to give to those who need it most.
“Eat.Shop.Chop is all about changing the narrative around the homeless and what they deserve,” says Thread Together CEO Greg Fischer. “Why shouldn’t they wear brand new clothes? Why should manufacturers feel concerned about seeing homeless people wearing their clothes? We need to take away the stigmas and shame associated with people in need.”
As well as haircuts, food and clothing, guests were also given the opportunity to have a hot shower and do their laundry thanks to Orange Sky, all while enjoying the buzzing atmosphere made possible by the music of Eastside FM.
The community festival, Eat.Shop.Chop, was made possible by the incredible partnership of Sustainable Salons, OzHarvest, Thread Together, Orange Sky, Randwick City Council, Eastside FM, TOGA, and My Foundations Youth Housing.
Sustainable Salons provides the most comprehensive waste free systems to the professional hairdressing industry. We collect and recycle 95% of a salon’s waste and reward the salon for their recycling efforts! Contact us here if you’d like to become a member of Sustainable Salons.
