NICK SMITH MP has launched the “Everyone Deserves a Christmas” campaign in Blaenau Gwent, to help provide Christmas dinners for families who may be struggling this festive season.
The ‘Everyone Deserves…’ campaign, started in Swansea by Carolyn Harris MP, has been helping to tackle holiday hunger across South Wales, branching out over the last few years to support people in neighbouring constituencies.
The campaign is lending a hand this winter by providing Christmas hampers to families in Blaenau Gwent. The hampers include all the ingredients needed to put together a Christmas dinner as well as other festive treats.
Volunteers from Ebbw Vale’s EVI community food Pantry have kindly agreed to work in partnership to deliver the hampers to deserving families this year.
Mr Smith held a coffee morning at the EVI café to launch the campaign and discuss ways to expand it for future years.
Mr Smith said: “Places like the EVI Pantry do invaluable work helping families to put food on the table throughout the year, but Christmas is about more than just the essentials.
“Everyone deserves a Christmas, free from worrying about whether they can put together a dinner on December 25^th and free to enjoy the treats that the festive season brings.
“I’m delighted to be able to help provide a better Christmas for families across Blaenau Gwent this year, when so many are struggling.”
He added: “This project started in Swansea and, due to its tremendous success, has been able to branch out and help other communities across South Wales like ours. I will be looking at fundraising ideas and exploring community links to help this project to continue to grow and hopefully ensure that even more people can benefit in the future.
“I am very grateful to EVI centre manager Sian Tucker and the team of volunteers for making this happen, delivering to families that need help this year. I hope it goes some way to making what could be a very difficult time a little easier.”
Sian Tucker, EVI Centre Manager said: “The volunteers and team at EVI are delighted to be involved with the ‘Everyone Deserves a Christmas’ campaign and look forward to making a difference for families within Blaenau Gwent who are struggling to make ends meet, particularly at this very special time of year.”
To find out more about the EVI Pantry visit: https://evi.cymru/evi-pantry/