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Bankuet food distribution warehouse with volunteers organizing supplies

Our story

Imagine a UK where no one goes hungry. Where no parent has to choose between heating the home or feeding their family. Where children go to school with full stomachs and people are met with dignity, not judgment. That's the future we're building, with your help.

Why we started Bankuet

Robin Ferris founded Bankuet in 2019 after volunteering at a London food bank and seeing the problem up close: mountains of surplus items alongside critical shortages of essentials.

Drawing on nearly a decade in the music industry, where he'd watched CDs give way to streaming, Robin believed there had to be a smarter way to support food banks.

A pilot with Wandsworth Foodbank quickly grew. Within six months, 10 food banks were on board. When the pandemic hit, communities rallied, donating £1.5 million through Bankuet in the first lockdown alone.

Today, Bankuet partners with 295 food banks nationwide, to get them exactly what they need, when they need it, cutting waste and making donations simpler and more impactful for supporters.

Our purpose

Our mission

To get food banks what they need, when they need it, and make it easier for people to give.
Shopping basket with food items

Our vision

A UK where no one goes hungry.
Dinner plate with utensils

Our journey

From a simple idea to a nationwide platform, here's how Bankuet has grown over the years.

2019

Bankuet was founded after Robin Ferris volunteered at his local food bank and identified the need for a more efficient donation system. By December, we were supporting 10 food banks and had delivered over 15,000 zero-waste items.

2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, donations surged 5,200% from February to March. 165+ people stepped forward to volunteer, as we scaled rapidly from 10 to over 100 food banks. We completed 1,000 bulk deliveries across 51 cities.

2021

Bankuet expanded its team, enhancing the platform with new features to better serve food banks and donors. We launched the UK's first frozen veggie food bank with Strong Roots and published the Food Fighters e-cookbook featuring 60+ recipes from chefs and food writers.

2022

Reached £2m donations in total donations and launched new fundraising tools to help communities support their local food banks. Robin met HRH Majesty King Charles III, alongside other leaders, to discuss Bankuet's innovative approach to tackling food poverty.

2023

With over £3 million now raised via our platform, Bankuet launched new features of its web app for food banks, ensuring faster and more reliable delivery of supplies across the country. Our children's book "Kobe Ketchup and the Food Bank Adventure" was published and James Bay's sold-out show at Lafayette London raised £22,000 in one night.

2024

We launched our reimagined web application for food banks in July for our 5th anniversary, improving accuracy and reliability. Our "Ribbons for Provisions" campaign with The Last Dinner Party raised £58,138 across 22 sold-out shows, followed by Travis's "Eat The Beat" tour raising £21,053 in December.

2025 and beyond

Today, Bankuet continues to grow and innovate, supporting 295 food banks with over £5.3 million donated. We remain focused on using technology to create sustainable solutions to food poverty across the UK.

Why food banks are under pressure

In 2023, a record 3.1 million emergency food parcels were distributed across the UK (Trussell, 2024).

Behind every parcel is a story: rising bills, low wages, unexpected illness, a broken benefits system. Food banks were never meant to be a long-term solution, but for now, they are essential. At Bankuet, we wish they weren't needed. But while they are, we're here to help them address real needs with dignity and care.
Food bank volunteers organizing supplies in warehouse with shelving units

How Bankuet helps:

Bankuet partners with 295 food banks across the UK. Every week, we receive their up-to-date shopping lists. Then, using your donations, we bulk-buy and deliver exactly what's needed,so nothing goes to waste and support arrives quickly.

How Bankuet works for donors

Discover how your donation creates real impact through a smarter, more efficient system.

How Bankuet works for food banks

Find out how Bankuet helps address real, on-the-ground need, without the waste or guesswork.

What people say about us

Hear from food banks, donors and more about how Bankuet is making a difference.
Steph SercombeDonor"As a parent juggling work, school runs, and everything in between, I don’t always have time to drop off food donations, but I still want to help. Bankuet has been a game-changer. It takes just a minute to donate, and I know the food banks are getting exactly what they need. It’s reassuring to know we’re helping other families in a way that’s practical, respectful, and waste-free."
Lynda BattarbeeDirector of Network Operations at Trussell"Bankuet's digital-first model complements the traditional physical donation points our community of food banks has relied on over the years. The Bankuet model has given food banks access to different donors to help them get what they need when they need it."
Dan FrithFood bank manager, Wandsworth food bank"As the first local food bank to partner with Bankuet back in 2019, we’ve seen how their model has evolved to meet real needs. It’s a trusted, efficient way for us to receive exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed, and we're thankful to the generous people who give via Bankuet to help people in hardship."
Alison-Inglis JonesFood bank volunteer and former Trussell board member"As someone who’s volunteered in food banks for years, I’ve seen first-hand how Bankuet’s approach cuts waste and fills the critical gaps. It’s a thoughtful, modern solution that makes a tangible difference to families in need."
Steve WatkinsCo-founder at The Fisheries"We were delighted to host a fundraising dinner in support of Bankuet and their vital work supplying food to local food banks. It was a fantastic evening, and we’re proud to have played a part in helping their mission to feed those in need."
Andrew Forsley OBENational director at Feeding Britain "Bankuet have created a model that gets essential food and household supplies to the right places, at the right time, reducing inefficiency and supporting communities under immense strain. In doing so, they help strengthen the safety net for people facing hardship. It’s exactly the kind of joined-up, innovative thinking that we need more of to tackle hunger across the UK."
Elizabeth MorseDonor"Bankuet takes the stress out of giving. It’s fast, transparent, and I know I’m helping in a way that works for food banks."
Steph SercombeDonor"As a parent juggling work, school runs, and everything in between, I don’t always have time to drop off food donations, but I still want to help. Bankuet has been a game-changer. It takes just a minute to donate, and I know the food banks are getting exactly what they need. It’s reassuring to know we’re helping other families in a way that’s practical, respectful, and waste-free."
Lynda BattarbeeDirector of Network Operations at Trussell"Bankuet's digital-first model complements the traditional physical donation points our community of food banks has relied on over the years. The Bankuet model has given food banks access to different donors to help them get what they need when they need it."
Dan FrithFood bank manager, Wandsworth food bank"As the first local food bank to partner with Bankuet back in 2019, we’ve seen how their model has evolved to meet real needs. It’s a trusted, efficient way for us to receive exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed, and we're thankful to the generous people who give via Bankuet to help people in hardship."
Alison-Inglis JonesFood bank volunteer and former Trussell board member"As someone who’s volunteered in food banks for years, I’ve seen first-hand how Bankuet’s approach cuts waste and fills the critical gaps. It’s a thoughtful, modern solution that makes a tangible difference to families in need."
Steve WatkinsCo-founder at The Fisheries"We were delighted to host a fundraising dinner in support of Bankuet and their vital work supplying food to local food banks. It was a fantastic evening, and we’re proud to have played a part in helping their mission to feed those in need."
Andrew Forsley OBENational director at Feeding Britain "Bankuet have created a model that gets essential food and household supplies to the right places, at the right time, reducing inefficiency and supporting communities under immense strain. In doing so, they help strengthen the safety net for people facing hardship. It’s exactly the kind of joined-up, innovative thinking that we need more of to tackle hunger across the UK."
Elizabeth MorseDonor"Bankuet takes the stress out of giving. It’s fast, transparent, and I know I’m helping in a way that works for food banks."
Steph SercombeDonor"As a parent juggling work, school runs, and everything in between, I don’t always have time to drop off food donations, but I still want to help. Bankuet has been a game-changer. It takes just a minute to donate, and I know the food banks are getting exactly what they need. It’s reassuring to know we’re helping other families in a way that’s practical, respectful, and waste-free."
Lynda BattarbeeDirector of Network Operations at Trussell"Bankuet's digital-first model complements the traditional physical donation points our community of food banks has relied on over the years. The Bankuet model has given food banks access to different donors to help them get what they need when they need it."
Dan FrithFood bank manager, Wandsworth food bank"As the first local food bank to partner with Bankuet back in 2019, we’ve seen how their model has evolved to meet real needs. It’s a trusted, efficient way for us to receive exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed, and we're thankful to the generous people who give via Bankuet to help people in hardship."
Alison-Inglis JonesFood bank volunteer and former Trussell board member"As someone who’s volunteered in food banks for years, I’ve seen first-hand how Bankuet’s approach cuts waste and fills the critical gaps. It’s a thoughtful, modern solution that makes a tangible difference to families in need."
Steve WatkinsCo-founder at The Fisheries"We were delighted to host a fundraising dinner in support of Bankuet and their vital work supplying food to local food banks. It was a fantastic evening, and we’re proud to have played a part in helping their mission to feed those in need."
Andrew Forsley OBENational director at Feeding Britain "Bankuet have created a model that gets essential food and household supplies to the right places, at the right time, reducing inefficiency and supporting communities under immense strain. In doing so, they help strengthen the safety net for people facing hardship. It’s exactly the kind of joined-up, innovative thinking that we need more of to tackle hunger across the UK."
Elizabeth MorseDonor"Bankuet takes the stress out of giving. It’s fast, transparent, and I know I’m helping in a way that works for food banks."

Want to make sure no one in your community goes hungry?

There are a few simple ways to get involved: give through Bankuet to make your money go further, start a fundraising campaign to rally your community, or follow and share our message to help spread the word. You can also donate directly to the Bankuet platform to support the tech and team behind it all.
BankuetGetting food banks what they need, when they need it.
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