Campaign launched to help food banks this Christmas
Stephen Fry, well-known English actor and writer is calling on the public to take 32 seconds to download BanktheFood – a free app that helps food banks get the supplies they need ahead of the holidays.
According to the latest research one in seven people in the UK are reported to be experiencing hunger, and food banks across the country are distributing record numbers of emergency food parcels to those in need.
To help with demand, spoken-word artist Georgie Jones wrote 32 Seconds – a campaign that illustrates the positive impact of downloading an app in just a few seconds. The app is called BanktheFood and it helps connect people to their nearest food bank and provides a list of their most needed items.
In the campaign’s launch video, Stephen Fry brings Jones’ words to life, making a heartfelt appeal to the public: ‘On average it takes seven minutes to drink a cup of coffee, five to change a lightbulb and about three and half to inflate a balloon and twist it into a poodle. It took me 32 seconds to download BanktheFood app, 15 more to learn that my local food bank is in urgent need of tea bags and UHT milk. That’s a total of 48 seconds and probably less than ten tiny taps.’
Fry explained: ‘No one should have to go without essentials, and I know many people would like to help those struggling but may not know the best way how. I hope that by supporting this campaign, more people become aware of BanktheFood and their free app that helps do good and gets people in the community supporting each other.’
To give some context into how much food banks need help this winter, earlier this year the Trussell Trust revealed that its network of food banks handed our 3.1million food parcels in the past year. 655,000 individuals were using them for the first time. What’s more, families with children received 65% of the parcels and the number of them going to pensioners significantly increased.
Emma Spring, co-founder of BanktheFood, said: ‘We’re thrilled Stephen Fry has helped spread the news of the app that makes it easy to donate. With the rise in living costs, more families are relying on food banks – there has never been a more crucial time to ensure food banks are stocked with essential items.
‘BanktheFood enables people to make targeted donations that meet specific needs. It’s about getting the right help to the right place quickly. We’re hoping the 32 Seconds campaign will inspire thousands of new donors to get involved and support their local community.’
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