Fighting food poverty with Bankuet

Three-time GRAMMY Award-nominated and BRIT Award-winning multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and guitarist, James Bay, joined forces with food bank donation platform Bankuet, founded by BA (Hons) Marketing Management graduate Robin Ferris, to raise vital funds to feed the increasing number of people forced to turn to food banks this winter. This special show took place on 7 November 2023 at London’s Lafayette in Kings Cross, with all profits going directly to UK food banks via the Bankuet platform. The evening was made possible by the kindness and generosity of Amazon Music.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite in the UK, this show kickstarted Bankuet’s Christmas 2023 #GiveFoodGiveJoy appeal. Born out of a simple desire to help tackle food poverty, Bankuet’s mission is to get food banks what they need when they need it, and to make donating to food banks more accessible.

Commenting on the fundraiser, James Bay said, “I’m joining forces with Bankuet to help feed not only the growing number of people who are having to rely on food banks but those on low incomes faced with the choice of heating or eating this winter. Despite the UK being the sixth richest country in the world, millions are struggling to access the food and personal items they need and are turning to food banks for support with Christmas presents this year. As a new dad, I cannot imagine what it feels like to be in that position and I just wanted to do something to try and help.”

Almost a million people used a food bank for the first time between April 2022 and March 2023. December 2022 was the busiest month on record for food banks in the UK, with a food parcel being distributed every 8 seconds. Greenwich Foodbank, one of the busiest food banks in the UK has witnessed a 50% increase year on year each Christmas. According to its CEO, Jamie Ginns, "Christmas 2023 was predicted to be the toughest yet".’

Food banks report seeing more people unable to make ends meet through their doors, from students to nurses, teachers and police officers, as well as young people starting out on the career ladder.

If you wish to donate to a food bank on the Bankuet platform.