Laura Jarman, Bankueteer

What’s the most generous birthday present you’ve ever received? What if we told you ours was £1 million?

Sound a little far fetched?

Well, in the same month that we marked our second birthday, Bankuet reached another, far more remarkable milestone - £1 million of donations. Which means more than 1 million items delivered to people in crisis; in a year when help has been needed more than ever.

And it’s all thanks to generous supporters like you!

Rapid Response

Although Bankuet’s first pilot back in 2019 launched against a backdrop of rising pressure on food banks, no-one could have anticipated the level of unprecedented demand that would hit less than a year later. Fast forward to April 2020 - Covid-19 was sweeping the country, job losses were on the rise and food poverty was rapidly increasing. The urgent need for food banks had never been greater.

Bankuet’s response? Through your generosity of spirit - and wallet - we ramped up our deliveries. We upped the number of food banks we supported. And we grew our volunteer base at pace.

This speedy scale-up has meant that, in the last two years, Bankuet has made 1,700 bulk deliveries to 169 food banks in 73 towns across the country, and provided more than 36,000 bundles of food. That’s equivalent to 38,000 people in need being fed for a whole week.

To translate these stats into substance, we spoke to Dan Frith who manages Wandsworth food bank - one of the first sites Bankuet worked with. He told us:

"Whilst we work towards a future where food banks are no longer needed, we want to provide the best support to each household referred to us. Bankuet is helping us do that.

Through the pandemic we have seen a huge increase in local people being referred to us in crisis, and levels of need are still almost double what they were pre-Covid. Thanks to generous monthly donations via Bankuet, we are able to manage our stock levels to ensure every referral is met with a nutritionally balanced food parcel, tailor-made for that household.

We are really grateful for our partnership with Bankuet, and for everyone who has chosen to donate to help local people in hardship."

Compassionate Action

This incredible response wouldn’t have been achievable without those who have selflessly stepped up and made our work possible. We’ve been blown away by how many people have come forward to help address the UK’s growing hunger crisis over the last year. Whether donating hard earned cash or giving up valuable time, an overwhelming wave of need has been met with a significant outpouring of compassion and goodwill.

This includes our Bankueteers - our dedicated volunteer group. Folk like Maria, a Bankuet volunteer who refused to sit by as the pandemic unfolded:

“Like everyone, I found the pandemic really challenging. I often felt powerless to do anything to help others from home. Volunteering through Bankuet has been an incredible way for me to step up and do my bit to help food banks that have provided a lifeline for so many during these difficult times. I'll continue working with Bankuet beyond lockdown because I find it so, so inspiring.”

More To Do

But while birthdays are usually for celebrating, we’re the first to acknowledge that Bankuet’s milestone of kindness is bittersweet. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic may be beginning to ease for many of us, however the reality of food poverty lives on for millions of people in the UK. Recent stats from the Trussell Trust (which represents around half of known food banks in the UK) show that over 2.5 million food parcels were given out between March 2020 and April 2021, with over 1 million of those being provided to children.

And with the impact of the furlough scheme ending, along with further economic uncertainty expected, things are likely to get worse before they get better.

Make Your Mark

In the face of food poverty and unnecessary hunger continuing to grow in the UK, Bankuet, and the food banks we support, are all working towards a hunger-free future. But we can’t do it alone. To put it simply, we need you!

There are so many ways to get involved…

• Use your skills for good and join the Bankuet volunteer team. We're always on the lookout for new Bankueteers - find out more about our current opportunities here.

• Help us feed more people and make a long term impact with a monthly donation. Regular giving provides food banks with reliable, sustainable income. Get more info and sign up here.

• Raise money! Fundraising through Bankuet is an easy and fun way to help food banks and grow your impact. Find out how you can take part here.

• If you're still considering the right path for you, how about starting by simply spreading the word? Let your friends and family know about Bankuet by sharing this blog using the link at the bottom of this page.

So... how will you make your mark?

Looking to get involved? Help Bankuet get food banks what they need, when they need it.