Charity to distribute surplus food from The Open
More than 250,000 people attended the Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake and now surplus food from the event is helping feed children, families and homeless people. Tony McDonough reports
Hundreds of people in need across Wirral and Ellesmere Port will receive surplus food from the Open Championship last weekend.
More than 250,000 people attended the Open, golf’s biggest global event, at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake. After US golfer Brian Harman lifted the Claret Jug organisers set about donating the surplus food.
Food and community charity Neo Community has collected the food which includes fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, milk, and other essentials.
They have distributed it to 10 other local charities including The Hive Youth Zone, Gautby Road Youth, Play and Community Centre and Shaftesbury Youth Club.
It will be used to support holiday activities to children, homeless people and children and families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Ema Wilkes, Neo Community chief executive, said: “We are extremely grateful to the organisers of The Open for this generous donation.
“Not only does it reduce food waste from the event, but it has also enabled us to feed hundreds of children and families in Wirral and Ellesmere Port.
“There is a growing need for the provision of food and essentials to people across the region, due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“Neo Community has the logistics in place to mobilise and ensure any surplus food is distributed effectively, and we take every opportunity to ensure that no-one is left behind.”
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Neo stands for NEED, ENGAGE and ORGANISE community led change. The charity was established in 2003 to identify gaps, listen to community voices, empower communities, and facilitate the delivery of food, activities and campaigns.
It offers social supermarkets, a community café, kids club, youth club, holiday activities, family supper clubs and activities for older residents, as well as training, wellbeing and a women’s group.