A CHARITY handed out free food to over 24,000 Flintshire and Wrexham residents on Christmas Eve.

Given to Shine said the numbers, which it hasn't received the final total of yet, reveals the impact the cost of living crisis has had on thousands of households.

The charity visited 49 locations to hand out free food on Christmas Eve - a scheme it has been running for the last six years. The majority of the locations were in Flintshire and Wrexham, with one each in Chester and Denbighshire.

This year, demand reached unprecedented levels - with well in excess of an additional 10,000 people fed compared to last year.

The food provided was predominantly supermarket surplus, food that would otherwise exceed it’s best before date during store closures and be destined for the bin.

The Leader:

Given to Shine has thanked everyone who volunteered on the night to support the scheme.

A spokesperson said: "We were overwhelmed with how many people turned up to help themselves this year, we haven’t had the figures from all the venues in yet but we’ve already surpassed 24,000.

"Many venues running out of food quickly, showing just how much the cost of living crisis is hitting families and households. We also ran out of food with venues returning for restocks.

"But were fortunate that we had the quantities we did, with last minute food offers from Asda Queensferry, Asda Saltney, Asda Sealand Road, two Tesco Express stores in Chester and countless Co-Ops across Wrexham, Flintshire and Chester, in addition to the 19 supermarkets we had already partnered with."

 

Given to Shine added: "We are already preparing for Christmas Eve 2023 and would like to confirm more stores well in advance, specifically more supermarkets in Flintshire.

"We’d love to partner with manufacturers and wholesalers to collect their surplus for Christmas Eve 2023 too, to reach even more people and ensure there is adequate amounts of food to meet all demand."

The Leader:

Caia Park's Plaid councillor, Carrie Harper, said on the night: "A massive thank you to everybody at Given to Shine for organising this, and to all the volunteers at Yellow & Blue Hub and the (Caia Park) Partnership. 

"It is going to make a massive difference to people at this time of year and everybody is going to have a lovely Christmas Day thanks to all the work you're doing."

The Leader: The collection point at Immerse Fitness in Pentre, Deeside. The collection point at Immerse Fitness in Pentre, Deeside. (Image: Given to Shine)