If you’re thinking about ways to support others this festive season, why not connect with your local food bank using the BanktheFood charity app and donate? BanktheFood will ping you a list of urgently needed items and show the location of the local donation stations.
As more people struggle with the cost of living, food banks across the country are struggling to keep up with demand. BanktheFood is a free charity-run app, run solely by volunteers, that enables users to find and connect with local food banks. It sends a push notification of the most needed items every time the food bank runs low on essentials. The app will even send a list of what’s urgently needed on arrival at the local supermarket, enabling shoppers to pick up a few extra items and donate at the local donation station.
And it’s not just food that’s sought after. Many food banks also need pet food, toiletries and personal hygiene products; some will look to collect Christmas crackers and small toys as gifts for children over the festive period. And as BanktheFood shares what your local food bank is after in real time, it reduces the need for expensive storage.
Emma Spring, CEO of BanktheFood, explains:“Christmas is often a tough time for people, and food banks will be a lifeline for many. If we can encourage people to use the free BanktheFood app, we can help community food banks get what they need when they need it and ensure nobody goes without. It makes a huge difference.”
“More and more people are struggling to make ends meet these days and are turning to us for help, but need has started to outweigh the number of donations we receive,” saysKathy Bland at Leominster Foodbank.
“We are asking people to download the BanktheFood app which enables us tell people exactly what we need, and they can tell us where it’s been donated, so that we can quickly retrieve it. As a result, we can keep providing balanced food parcels to those in need. As demand for foodbanks continues to grow, this app is a valuable resource for ensuring everyone has enough to eat.”
Things your local food bank might need:
– Cereal
– Soup
– Rice
– Pasta Sauce
– Tinned meat, fish, fruit and veg
– Tea/coffee
– Tinned fruit
– Biscuits
– Toiletries
– Hygiene products
Check the BanktheFood app to find exactly what your local food bank needs.
