Food banks

Doodledog

Nobody is saying not to do anything.

In a throwaway comment I said that an example of inconsistency in JM's tweets was one when she said that she had boiled up soap fragments to make shampoo to save money, and suggested this as a 'hack' for her followers. Given that a 500ml bottle of 'everyday' shampoo is 75p in Tesco or Boots (I've just checked), it would cost nearly as much to boil up the soap, but more importantly, the relevant tweet showed a photo of numerous 'high end' cosmetic products on the dressing table, so the idea that JM was doing it from necessity is 'open to question'.

Using washing up liquid when you've run out of shampoo is not the same thing at all - I'm sure we've all done it from time to time.

If anyone wants to save soap, you can make little bags out of old tights/stockings/popsocks and gather the leftovers into that, hang it over the tap and use it as a soapy scrub that is free, given that you are using your own leftovers and no boiling is involved. You are also using soap for the purpose for which it is intended.

Or don't . It's entirely up to you (generic). Oh, and you don't need to bung me a quid for the tip. Unlike JM, I don't attach a Just Giving link to every post.

I like the "soapy scrub" made from old tights and left-over soap, and am going to use that hack. My old tights, though... they've got more ladders than a builders'-yard...

As for Monroe and the high-end toiletries. This is just a thought, but she was, at one time, living with someone as a couple. I don't know the details because I haven't read enough about it, but according to her, they went their separate ways ultimately. Is it possible that the toiletries belonged to her partner?

I only suggest this because of something that happened to me many years ago now but is an experience that I have never forgotten because it so clearly illustrated that things are not always what they seem. And what this could lead to.

Really, really briefly. My teenage son was arrested and accused of robbing his school's 'safe' which was kept in the school dining-room / kitchen.

The evidence: Playing rugby late evening he found the school gates locked so climbed over the wall with his sports bag which he dropped - and then himself - straight into the arms of a new police recruit who had been informed of the robbery.
More evidence: His student card was found on the roof of the dining-room / kitchen.
Even more evidence: The kitchen stored out-of-date crisps ready for disposal. My son's bedroom had a box of out-of-date crisps on the floor.

Guilty? Obviously! The reality which the police investigation confirmed was this. My son's best friend during a scuffle threw his student card up in the air as a 'joke'... it landed on the dining-room roof. My husband ran a business - boat parties with catering. He also had out-of-date crisps behind the bar which he gave to our son instead of throwing them away. The school confirmed my son had been playing rugby, dawdled and was seen by a teacher trying to get out of the gate... teacher came to let him out but he'd disappeared over the wall by then.
I remember the police inspector laughing about the co-incidence after my son was released from the 'enquiries' and vaguely remember him saying something along the lines of things aren't always what they seem so we have to investigate.

We all still have a chuckle about this at my son's expense, but, it does prove that things are not always what they seem.

However, the toiletries may have belonged to Monroe. Who knows for sure? There's no jovial 'bobby' to investigate.

MissAdventure

You can make your own by putting your pop sock full of soap into one of those string bags that veg (sprouts?) come in.
Exfoliate away to your hearts content.

We are nothing if not resourceful on here

My foodbank gives out shampoo and other toiletries as well as food. We like our clients to be sweet smelling......

You can make your own by putting your pop sock full of soap into one of those string bags that veg (sprouts?) come in.
Exfoliate away to your hearts content.

The OP is right to raise the question, and questions are not judgements. You should debunk the suggestion without intimidating the questioner.

Really? Mine unravel without much prompting to be honest! 😂

Forsythia

Good idea about the soapy scrub on the tap.

Someone I know unravels the scrunchie shower scrub things (what are they called?) and makes lots of them out of one 'thingy'. She sells them for charity at £1.50 each and makes a decent amount.

Good idea about the soapy scrub on the tap.

MissAdventure

I think you've covered all angles there, doodledog

I think you've covered all angles there, doodledog

Nobody is saying not to do anything.

In a throwaway comment I said that an example of inconsistency in JM's tweets was one when she said that she had boiled up soap fragments to make shampoo to save money, and suggested this as a 'hack' for her followers. Given that a 500ml bottle of 'everyday' shampoo is 75p in Tesco or Boots (I've just checked), it would cost nearly as much to boil up the soap, but more importantly, the relevant tweet showed a photo of numerous 'high end' cosmetic products on the dressing table, so the idea that JM was doing it from necessity is 'open to question'.

Using washing up liquid when you've run out of shampoo is not the same thing at all - I'm sure we've all done it from time to time.

If anyone wants to save soap, you can make little bags out of old tights/stockings/popsocks and gather the leftovers into that, hang it over the tap and use it as a soapy scrub that is free, given that you are using your own leftovers and no boiling is involved. You are also using soap for the purpose for which it is intended.

Or don't . It's entirely up to you (generic). Oh, and you don't need to bung me a quid for the tip. Unlike JM, I don't attach a Just Giving link to every post.

It's bad enough being poor.
I don't need flat, thin greasy hair as well.

Re the soap issue. We can all say not to use this or that but, if you’re desperate, using soap now and then to wash hair is no big deal. I’ve used washing up liquid when I ran out of shampoo. Not regularly, but odd occasions. No detrimental effect at all. Better than having dirty greasy hair.
Collecting soap off cuts: loads of articles years ago about doing that. Melting odds and ends down and using to make a new bar. I’ve never done it but it was well known in the past. Rainbow soap!

It's not always easy to separate fact from fiction. Especially when there is a political bias - both from Monroe and her critics.
I agree with he politically - I just don't like exploitation and/or mendacity. I think she does her cause more harm than good by being so 'inconsistent' - it makes it look as though the truths she tells are also false.

Doodledog

I find this level of intrusiveness into others' circumstances troubling.

If I thought that a neighbour knew that I was using a food bank, that I has a bus pass, that I used it twice a week, but not on the foodbank day when I took a taxi, and that s/he was discussing all of that with someone else, I would be deeply uncomfortable. Serious question - do people feel the need to know and discuss facts like these about those who are more comfortably off, or is it just the poor whose lives are scrutinised?

Agreed.

I find knowing anything private, about anyone, very intrusive.

Our Church Food Pantry has no rules, people determine their own needs. Church membership (as a whole) is informed weekly of the current requirements, wants, needs and availability of foods, cleaning supplies, nappies, pet food. Usually in late November needs of small Christmas items are noted, same in the spring for Easter. Also a clothing closet/ cupboard --necessities like pants, socks, coats, gloves, and again - baby items & nappies.

Less intrusion in the lives of people, more help, no rules.

Bible based honour system, works very well.

FannyCornforth

Dickens see DD’s posts and the link that I posted.
Or Google Jack Monroe inconsistencies

Thanks for the info.

Obviously, this 'research' is going to take some time.

It's not always easy to separate fact from fiction. Especially when there is a political bias - both from Monroe and her critics.

Dickens see DD’s posts and the link that I posted.
Or Google Jack Monroe inconsistencies

FannyCornforth

Farzanah

Having a food bank does not preclude other initiatives to help people improve their lot such as money management, CV writing and how to prepare for job interviews to name a few. Our local food bank does all that and it is a food bank plus.
I wonder what evidence the vicar you spoke to has Sago that food banks are “massively abused”?

Dickens Jack Monroe has indeed been very open about her struggles and how poverty grinds you down. She is inspirational but has suffered so much abuse on social media. Once you put yourself out there sadly that is what happens.

Jack Monroe has made up quite a bit of stuff. Much of what she has recounted about her life just does not add up.
Of course, I’m not excusing any abuse.

I don't know a lot about Jack Monroe, just to be clear.

What do you believe she has "made up" that doesn't add up?

I realise people sometimes exaggerate for effect and I don't doubt Jack has done so... but actually making things up is a different thing altogether.

My grandmother always used diluted bicarbonate of soda to wash her hair - and a vinegar rinse to make it shiny. She had glorious auburn waves. (I do the same, due to allergies - my hair is OK). Yes, my uncle used Fairy liquid to get the Brylcreem out too - then slapped on more. Antimacassars were perched on every chair in the house!

Errmm ... yes, lockdown would have stopped her from giving talks and interviews, for which she's presumably paid. She would have been eligible for furlough, which wasn't just for employed people not able to go to a place of work. HMRC would have determined her eligibility based on her previous year's tax return.

Doodledog

FannyCornforth

Oh, forgive me, I thought that we were having a discussion.

You can't do that on here without one part of a post being picked on in an attempt to discredit the rest. I also thought this was a discussion/chat and let my guard down - I
should have known better.

FWIW I don't 'hate' anyone.

All I asked was why the claim that soap could be turned into shampoo was ridiculous. Jeez!

Fairy Liquid will strip the oils from hair. It is widely used to (deliberately) remove spinning oils from yarns that have been oiled for weaving or machine knitting - the Fairy brand in particular.

I doubt it will cause long-term damage, and have used it myself in an emergency, but different products are formulated for different purposes. I dare say if you have oily hair Fairy Liquid might be the very thing . I remember my friend's dad, who wore Brylcreem in the 70s, using it for the rare occasions when he washed his hair. The unoiled version was so different from the Brylcreemed one . We had to make our own entertainment in those days, but it was quite a treat for we children .

I've used soap as shampoo, shampoo as washing liquid, and washing up liquid as shampoo.

The joys of stretching things until payday.

I've never heard of anyone using soap for shampoo. However my father always used Fairy Liquid. In fact he wrote to them explaining his hair washing habit and thanking them etc etc. He got quite a stern letter back telling him that washing up liquid should not be used on hair. He was quite upset by the response! Sulked for days.

FannyCornforth

Oh, forgive me, I thought that we were having a discussion.

You can't do that on here without one part of a post being picked on in an attempt to discredit the rest. I also thought this was a discussion/chat and let my guard down - I
should have known better.

FWIW I don't 'hate' anyone.