Laura Jarman, Bankuet volunteer
Harvest Festival. Traditionally held on the Sunday nearest the harvest moon (the full moon closest to the autumn equinox), this seasonal event in Britain dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period. Today's church celebrations became established far later in 1843, but have since marked an annual opportunity for thanksgiving and local outreach in churches around the UK. The usual congregation joined by shuffling school children and proud parents, all laden with eagerly collected tins, tubs and cans.
And with UK food insecurity levels now among the worst in Europe, these large seasonal collections have become even more important for the UK’s expanding network of food banks. A network finding itself working harder than ever to meet a rapidly growing user demand.
In fact, most of the items collected in churches last year were destined for food banks ahead of the busy winter period. Jackie Beeley, Chair of Gateshead food bank, told us: “Our donations have always increased dramatically when churches and schools have organised local harvest collections. The increase [at this time of year] is vital to replenish stocks in the lead up to Christmas - which is always exceptionally busy.”
But this year, the challenge is more significant than ever.
The need for food and essential goods is at an unprecedented high (food bank usage went up by 325% during the lockdown period) and is set to keep climbing as the UK enters a recession for the first time since 2011.
“In the next few months we’re expecting to see many more households struggling with the furlough scheme coming to an end and the possibility that many will lose their jobs” said Jackie. “It’ll mean reduced income and increased pressure on families.”
But with social distancing in place and large gatherings restricted, the usual autumnal bring-and-share rituals that have previously proved so vital for local food banks are now looking to be a thing of the (2019) past.
A unique challenge for churches
On top of overcoming their own Covid-19 hurdles, how can churches keep supporting their local communities this Harvest, all while ensuring safety, efficiency and (perhaps most importantly at a time of widespread need) value for money?
And it’s not just the store cupboard essentials that’ll be missed by food banks, Jackie tells us, Harvest is also an important period of outreach: “In the past we’ve done talks and presentations to both churches and schools [during Harvest] in order to raise awareness of why there is a need and how we operate”, she says.
So, what about food banks? How can they quickly and simply communicate their localised need to those looking to help, so that donations are as relevant and impactful as possible?
But Bankuet has a solution
And it’s one that has now helped more than 85 food banks to deliver more than 9,900 food bundles across the UK since our inception in 2019.
By partnering closely with food banks and working directly with retailers to bulk buy items, Bankuet converts monetary donations into the items that are needed most. All while ensuring lower prices and zero waste. In fact, for every £1 you donate to Bankuet, we’ll deliver up to £1.20 worth of products to food banks - reaping more than you sow, if you will.
This Harvest, we want to make it even easier for you to support your local food bank. Simply register your church to run a Harvest campaign with Bankuet and we’ll send you a full pack of resources. From sermon notes, to prayer points and all age worship ideas, the pack includes everything you need to promote your campaign and make maximum impact for people in crisis in your community.
And the first 25 churches to sign up will get up to £250 of their fundraising matched!
In centuries past, the Harvest Festival was a community-wide effort. With the workload far greater than the farmhands could manage, all the locals were drafted in to help - lives depended on the harvest success. Speeding forward to today, the level of need is as urgent as ever. And, this Harvest, Bankuet can help your church adapt to meet it.
What are you waiting for?