- 21/12/2018
- Posted by: Lesley Griffiths MS
- Category: News
TWO Wrexham politicians are taking part in a project which will spread some festive cheer this Christmas while also reducing food waste.
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.
Given to Shine aims to provide free food for households across Wrexham and Flintshire. The food will be collected from local supermarkets and distributed on Christmas Eve from various collection points, including Mr Lucas’ office.
The products – unsold items like fruit and veg which would have otherwise been taken to landfill sites – will be given out to anyone who visits. Mr Lucas and Ms Griffiths hope it will benefit families who may be struggling financially this Christmas.
Mr Lucas said: “The Given to Shine initiative is an excellent idea and I am giving it my full support.
“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.”
Given to Shine 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.
The Given To Shine team said in a statement: “Please help us by collecting for those unable to collect themselves, so we can prevent this food from entering landfill.”
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. The food available is most likely to include veg, fruit, bread and salad.
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, while Holy Trinity Church in Gwersyllt will be open from 6.30pm and through the rest of the evening.
Other pick-up points include: St Mary’s Church, Caia Park, St Giles Parish Church, Wrexham, and St Tydfil’s Church, Coedpoeth, all from about 6.30pm on Christmas Eve. Keep checking the Given to Shine Facebook page for further updates as there may yet be further locations or email [email protected]
