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NEO COMMUNITY HELPS BATTLE SCHOOL HOLIDAY HUNGER BY WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
The amazing work of Neo Community has not slowed since the first lockdown last March when they were supporting the local authority in running the Emergency Food Hub for Wirral which saw over 25,000 hampers given out in 12 weeks .
The team has shown real commitment and strength to the communities and residents they support setting up Neo on Wheels which is supported by many of their ‘ Neo 50 partners ’ and the Steve Morgan Foundation .
Neo on Wheels offered all the services available at the community house but delivered it directly to residents ’ doors , starting with Summer children ’ s meals , activity packs and cook at home boxes going out to over more than 800 children .
They were then asked to co-ordinate the joint council / community school holiday support for Free School Meal children which saw more than 8000 hampers of food and 9000 activity packs being delivered to families across Wirral during the Autumn and Christmas holidays .
The community backed effort , was made possible after Wirral Council secured more than £ 385,000 dedicated funding to help support families and children who receive free school meals , early years pupil premium and students in need of additional support at Wirral Met and The Sixth Form College .
Neo Community coordinated with 23 other community groups , charities and organisations such as Edsential , Community Action Wirral , Feeding Birkenhead Supporting Wirral and Wirral Development Trust , together with schools , nurseries and Children ’ s Centres , to organise , pack , and deliver the hampers to families eligible for the support . They received parcels of food , fresh fruit and vegetables alongside activity packs for children and sensory activity packs were included for children with special educational needs . The community organisations and charities will once again work together to provide support for families during the February half term in phase 2 of this project .
Adam Mellor , Development Manager from Neo Community said : “ In partnership with Wirral Council we have embarked on this ambitious and innovative project to reach families that need more support during Christmas and February Half term . We are so proud of the partnerships and collaboration that has continued from the start of this year to now , our amazing friends and colleagues across the Wirral have really stepped up and are committed to ensuring all families can access as much support during this difficult year . Neo is proud of playing a small role in this initiative . We will continue to support and provide for the families in our community who are experiencing hardship , our social supermarket is open ( COVID-19 safe ) and our team although reduced during the pandemic are working extremely hard to ensure that our services can continue .”
Neo managed to provide all this while running their own annual Christmas campaign giving Santa a helping hand to deliver over 1000 gifts to children , 200 Christmas Eve packs , Christmas Day packs , and 50 Christmas Trees .
Without the amazing supporters Neo have , they would not have been able to achieve so much . ‘ Neo 50 partners ’ are part of an elite group who , collectively , power the machine that is Neo Community . There are currently just over 20 Neo 50 Partners who donate between £ 100 and £ 1500 per month to fund all of Neo Communities activities and crisis support and they are always looking to add to their Neo 50 Partner group . To find out more and join the other amazing members go to https :// www . neocommunity . org . uk / neo-50 or contact ema @ neocommunity . org . uk or 0151 647 5981 . Companies and individuals can donate with time , skills , or money to become part of something special . wirrallife . com 31