Bella Burton and Naomi Ellis, Bankueteers

We’re here - a second England lockdown. It is easy to feel powerless at the moment in the face of factors beyond our control. The best thing we can do is focus on things we can change and have an impact on. Here are 5 ways you can help food banks in this time.

1. Donate remotely to food banks on Bankuet

Now we're in lockdown, it makes it harder to donate to food banks in person. Often donating actual food items to food banks means they get overloaded with pasta, but not enough of the supplies they really need.

Bankuet allows you to donate remotely (and safely) to any food bank registered on our website. Each week, food banks can request supplies through our online system. We then arrange for the supplies that actually need to be bought and delivered with your donations.

Bankuet pools your donations with donations from others which leads to what we call the 'Maximiser Effect.' Through the power of bulk buying and giftaid - for every £1 donated we deliver more than £1 worth of supplies!

With an additional 670,000 people estimated to be destitute by December 2020, your donation will help tackle hunger this Christmas. You can donate here to help us keep food banks stocked!

2. Fundraise from your very own home

It’s never been easier to set up a fundraising campaign with us - sign-up on our fundraising page, and set a target. You’ll get help from us along the way via social media assets and updates on your progress. You could combine fundraising with a fun lockdown activity with friends - a zoom bingo night or virtual cook-along - whatever floats your boat. Turn your passion into cash for food banks!

3. Volunteer at your local food bank

Not everyone can give money, but some may find themselves with more time on their hands instead. Offering up a few hours a week to package up food parcels or run deliveries goes a long way. More than 30% of the trussell trust’s project managers are 65 or older, which makes them more vulnerable to coronavirus. If you’re young, able and have some spare time to kill, why not get stuck in?

The Trussell Trust is the nation’s largest food bank network, but many are run via other charities or independently. Search online for their contact details or get in touch on the food bank’s social media accounts. Nextdoor.co.uk, Facebook groups or asking people in the area are also good places to find out about local initiatives. If there's not a food bank near you, but you believe there is a need for one you can read more about starting a food bank on the Trussell Trust's website here.

4. Volunteer remotely at Bankuet

We have remote volunteering opportunities that can be done from anywhere and fit around your other commitments. Our volunteers are known as The Bankueteers. We have regular get-togethers online (and hopefully in person in the not too distant future!) to stay connected to each other and our cause, and learn together.

Do you have a passion for social justice? Are you interested in using technology to help feed people going hungry this winter?

Sign-up and find out more about our volunteering positions on our volunteers page.

5. Spread the word on social media

As we are predicted to reach the highest unemployment levels since the early ‘90s, even more people will be referred to food banks. Whether you have 100 followers or 10,000 - even just one more person taking action will have an impact! If you're savvy on socials, you could even offer to run the social media accounts of your local food bank.

Bankuet are active on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can share our posts to your followers and help us raise awareness of food poverty in the UK, the amazing work of food banks and what people can do!

We hope you've found this blog encouraging - whatever resources you have, you can make a big difference!

Food banks in your area are helping to feed families in crisis right now. Please give what you can to support their vital work.