Help the Poor
As the cost of living crisis deepens many more people at home and abroad can no longer afford the basics. It is shocking that in this country 1 in 6 people are accessing foodbanks and 1 in 5 people are skipping meals because they haven’t enough money for food and so please continue to support charities such as:-
- Local foodbanks – both Dinnington and Kiveton foodbanks
- The Street People
- CAFOD
Help the Environment
News – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council passed a motion to declare a Nature Crisis on Wed 25 May, it can be read here: https://moderngov.rotherham.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=91028
This is great news, as it’s an acknowledgement of the urgent need to take action for nature in Rotherham to reverse its decline. The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board will discuss how to take the work forward within the Council.
*A big thank you to all who signed the petition and made this happen.
Help Reduce food waste and save money
Help reduce waste and save money – consider using Food Works Sheffield, a non-profit organisation that collects and shares surplus food close to its use by date and sells it on a pay what you can afford basis. They produce tasty, nutritious conventional, vegetarian and vegan ready meals; these cost a nominal £1.00, but you are invited to pay what you can. They also sell boxes of food, these typically contain fresh fruit, veg and store cupboard food e.g. bread, two products from the chiller and one from the freezer all for a nominal £1.00, you are invited to pay what you can and they are definitely worth much more.
Our nearest location is close to Asda at Handsworth address:- Unit 12-14, Portland Business Park, 130 Richmond Park Rd, Sheffield S13 8HS https://thefoodworks.org,
Too Good to Go App
Also consider using the Too Good to Go App. Every day delicious, fresh food goes to waste at cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops and manufacturers – just because it hasn’t sold in time. The Too Good to Go app lets you buy and collect this food – at a great price – so it gets eaten instead of wasted. You won’t know exactly what’s in your order until you pick it up – it’s all part of the surprise. Download the app to get started. https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb/
Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
What are eco-friendly cleaning products?
Eco-friendly cleaning products are products made without chemicals that are harmful to the environment. They are made from non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients and still remain effective against bacteria whilst clean thoroughly. The best eco-friendly cleaning products are zero-waste and are sold in refillable, compostable or fully recyclable packaging.
The Parish Reflection Group has made a pledge that St. Joseph’s will to switch to Eco-friendly cleaning products for the church.
Benefits of eco-friendly cleaning products
Eco-friendly cleaning products help the environment and can be better for your own health too.
1. Safer for the environment
One obvious benefit of eco-friendly cleaning products is that they are safer for the environment. Many traditional chemical cleaners contain ingredients that are harmful to wildlife and aquatic life such as:- Chlorine, Ammonia, Sodium Hydroxide, Phthalates and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
Note – Green cleaning products are not tested on animals, which is a huge positive.
2. Safer for human health
Eco-cleaners are safer for human health. Conventional chemical-based cleaners can be caustic and cause skin irritation, respiratory irritation and allergic reactions.
3. Gentle, effective cleaning
Eco-friendly cleaners clean gently without damage to surfaces.
4. Reduces plastic waste
Single-use plastics are highly detrimental to the planet, green cleaners are typically packaged in recyclable materials, biodegradable materials, multi-use, refillable bottles.
4. Conserves resources
A lot of eco-friendly cleaning products are multi-use which saves you buying a large range of products to clean each area in your home or business. Many products can be bought as dissolvable cleaners in smaller sachets or in tablet-form that use less storage space.
Availability
Most supermarkets stock the popular brands of eco-friendly cleaning products and many more products are available on the internet including: kitchen and bathroom spray, glass cleaners, air fresheners, floor cleaner, toilet cleaners, descalers, degreasers, detergent and dishwasher tablets, laundry washing power, tablets and pods. Laundry EcoEggs are recommended by several parishioners, these are plastic eggs that are refillable with mineral pellets that replace washing detergent and fabric conditioner and they are cost effective and clean clothes efficiently.
Homemade Eco-friendly cleaning products
Homemade eco-friendly cleaning products are very cheap and easy to make using simple ingredients such as white vinegar, citric acid, bicarbonate of soda, washing soda and borax eg kitchen and bathroom spray – 40g citric acid powder, a squeeze of washing up detergent plus 1 litre of water.
Harthill Fruit and Veg Shop on the shopping parade in Harthill
The shop has a refill station selling eco-friendly washing up liquid, hand wash liquid, laundry washing liquid and conditioner, laundry washing powder, toilet cleaner, dishwasher tablets, hair shampoo and conditioner. Take your own container and fill it in the shop.
It also sells loose fruit and veg along with a variety of rice, dried fruit, nuts and pasta in paper bags
