Free food to be distributed in Wrexham this Christmas as part of ‘Given to Shine’ scheme

A local initiative is aiming to spread some festive cheer by offering free food to residents this Christmas.

The ‘Given to Shine’ scheme is being run by the NW Nappy Collaborative CIC, a community interest company which enables and supports the use of reusable nappies, as well as tackling period poverty and hunger poverty.

It aims to provide free food for households across Wrexham and Flintshire -with food collected from local supermarkets and distributed on Christmas Eve from various collection points.

The food available will be predominantly potatoes, seasonal vegetables and bread, however there may have a bit of fruit too.

Ian Lucas MP and Lesley Griffiths AM have signed up to the ‘Given to Shine initiative’ and will open the constituency office they share on Rhosddu Road on Christmas Eve to help out.

“The Given to Shine initiative is an excellent idea and I am giving it my full support,” said Mr Lucas.

“Nobody wants to see food go to waste, especially at Christmas, and we should also look to support people who may be less well off than others at this time of year.

“The Given to Shine scheme does this and I applaud the efforts of their volunteers. They are giving Santa a run for his money this Christmas.”

Ms Griffiths, who will join Mr Lucas in helping out on Christmas Eve, added: “The volunteers involved in The Given to Shine project have worked tirelessly throughout the year and I am proud to support their cause.

“It is wonderful to see the Wrexham community coming together at Christmas to help make a real positive difference to the lives of local people.”

Several supermarkets across Wrexham and Flintshire have already signed up and will be donating food, including Lidl in Gwersyllt and several Co-op stores in the Wrexham county area.

Anyone is welcome to call in to one of the collection points and pick up some food. Mr Lucas and Ms Griffiths’ office, on Rhosddu Road, Wrexham, will be open between 1pm and 4pm on Christmas Eve.

A spokesperson for Given to Shine, said: “We kindly ask you to bring your own bags as there will not be any provided, and feel free to collect for your neighbours who may struggle to attend themselves.

“Please bear with us if we’re a few minutes late on the day; our Christmas Elves have a huge task on their hands to make this possible.”

Other pick-up points from 6:30pm include:

Caia Park : St Marks Church, LL13 9LA

Coedpoeth : St Tydfil’s Church, LL11 3UE

Gwersyllt : Holy Trinity Church, LL11 4HD

Wrexham Town : St Giles Church, LL13 8LS

More information can be found on the Given to Shine Facebook page or email [email protected].