Laura Jarman, Bankueteer

Loo roll, wonky veg, eco detergent and some pretty questionable craft beers. No, that’s not the contents of my backpack. It’s the current state of my monthly subscriptions.

Add to that the Millennial “essentials” (Spotify, Netflix and mobile contract) plus the daily coffees (to stretch the legs), weekly takeaways (it’s Friday - are you cooking?) and the odd bottle of wine (or three). What's left is a regular pattern of spending that leaves my bank balance far lighter each month. And the world not any better off...

While some of that may be tongue in cheek, I know I’m not alone in signing up to a few too many things on the regs that I definitely don’t need a monthly supply of. But far from mocking the monthly subscription phenomenon, Bankuet is here to celebrate it. Albeit with an important twist, of course (after all, we are Bankuet with a K!)

Monthly donations are actually a really impactful way to support food banks and other food aid providers in the UK. Plus, this form of giving has its benefits for Bankuet donors too! Here are 5 reasons to consider becoming a monthly supporter…

1. It’s convenient

How many of us think about giving to a cause, but forget to ever follow through? Signing up to give monthly is the most convenient way to make a difference. It’s 100% automatic, so you’re doing your bit for food banks each month without lifting a finger.

2. It doesn’t break the bank

While not everyone has a budget spreadsheet (hey, I’m just an Excel fan!), most of us try to keep tabs on our outgoings each month. Rather than making sporadic - and often larger - gifts to charity now and again, monthly giving is easier to manage. Spreading your donations over the year generally means you're making smaller, regular payments. This makes budgeting more straightforward and still adds up for the food banks you’re supporting.

3. Pound stretcher

By working directly with retailers and buying supplies in bigger quantities, Bankuet can make your money stretch further. In fact, for every £1 donated via Bankuet, we deliver £1.10-£1.20 worth of products to food banks. Through giving regularly, you’re making it easier for us to unlock the power of bulk buying and maximise the value of every pound donated. Winning!

4. Sustainable support

In the same way that a regular salary helps many of us to budget, monthly donations provide food banks with a more sustainable stream of income. Knowing what’s coming in means they can plan ahead and make informed decisions about how best to support their local communities. While we always love an unexpected donation at Bankuet, a predictable stream of monthly giving ultimately helps food banks save time and money.

5. Powerful impact

We all want to feel like we’re making a difference. Regular donations are a great way to maximise your impact for those facing crisis. In fact, according to The State of Modern Philanthropy 2019 report, people who give monthly are thought to provide charities with 440% more financial return over their lifetime than one off donors! Giving regularly helps you feel more invested in the cause you’re supporting and makes it easier to see the impact of your donations over time. Plus, each month the Bankuet team will send you a virtual high five and an update on how your generous support is helping.

This has been an extremely tough year for so many people. But with your support, we can empower and resource food banks as they tackle food inequality across the country.

Simply select your bundle and either opt for a specific food bank or let Bankuet identify which food bank(s) need it most that month:

• £10 helps people out with their basic kitchen staples

• £20 is a week’s worth of meals for one person

• £50 puts a week’s worth of food on the table for a small family

• £100 gives a large family enough food to eat for a week

• £500 provides a large family with food and supplies for a month

Want to become a regular supporter? Help Bankuet get food banks what they need, when they need it each month.