Cape Breton food bank offers salon experience to clients needing haircuts

A Cape Breton food bank is making a difference in the lives of its clients by offering free haircuts with the help of donated equipment and the time of local hairdressers. Debbie Murphy, a seasoned hairdresser with 46 years of experience in North Sydney, N.S., wanted to give back to her community and came up with the idea to set up a salon within the food bank.

“As a hairdresser, it gives me great joy when I cut somebody’s hair and they look in the mirror and they’re like, ‘Yeah, I love it,'” said Murphy. She approached Lawrence Shebib, the executive director of the food bank, with her idea. Shebib had long been interested in providing haircuts at the food bank as part of its expanding services, which now include a community garden, youth activities, and soon, affordable housing units.

Shebib emphasized the importance of access to services like haircuts for maintaining people’s dignity, especially during tough times when self-care might be neglected. “They feel better about themselves when they’re looking good,” he explained. Murphy rallied other local hairdressers who generously donated chairs, dryers, and mirrors to create a salon-like atmosphere at the food bank. Three additional hairdressers have also volunteered to offer their services on a monthly basis.

“I thought it was going to have to do a large fundraiser,” Murphy admitted. “Equipment is not cheap, but every bit of it has been donated.” She emphasized the importance of creating a comfortable and private space for clients to receive their haircuts, ensuring that they feel the same dignity as if they were in a regular salon paying for their service.

Clients of the food bank will soon start receiving vouchers for the free haircuts, allowing them to book appointments at their convenience. Murphy anticipates providing around 200 haircuts per year, with volunteers setting their own hours and availability. She hopes to recruit more volunteers to join in this meaningful initiative.

The integration of free haircuts at the food bank not only offers practical assistance to clients but also boosts their self-esteem and well-being. It’s a small yet significant way to support individuals in need and promote a sense of dignity and self-care within the community.