Meg Deyell, writer and community manager
Critical to the life of Bankuet is its team of dedicated volunteers, working hard to ensure Bankuet is getting food banks what they need, when they need it. Meet three of our many Bankueteers, marketing consultant Amy Walker, graphic designer Morin Glimmer and advertising creative Didz Parker.
Amy Walker, Marketing and Growth Consultant
Why is Bankuet important?
At the core of Bankuet is kindness. Anyone doing anything to help the most vulnerable people in our communities who struggle with difficult circumstances that are then heightened by stigma or shame has taken on a whole new meaning of importance in this crisis. Bankuet is a simple, safe and transparent vehicle for help for people who want to help but are not sure how.
Why did you join Bankuet?
Joining Bankuet was instinctual – I just knew this was going to be a great fit for me. I felt instantly a part of a team even though we’ve never met in person. With Bankuet I can use my time, knowledge and expertise to invest in something with a purpose, to help to deliver a solution to a major societal problem that’s only getting worse. It’s my way of being able to help the current crisis.
Tell us a fun food-related memory?
Cusco in Peru was pretty eye-opening for me – there was guinea pig and llama on the menu everywhere, even ostrich carpaccio - which was delicious! After spending 4 days trekking the Inca Trail we treated ourselves to a nice dinner, and at the end of the meal there was a large chili which I was dared to eat. I’ve always been a bit of an idiot and just said yes to things to things like that - so I chucked it in whole and was a dragon for the rest of the night!
Morin Glimmer, Designer and Art Director
Why is Bankuet important?
Bankuet creates a whole new potential for kindness, making it super easy for us to help our community. With just a few clicks you can give your chosen food bank exactly what is on their list, which means people get what they need and nothing goes to waste. Bankuet is turning acts of kindness from physical to digital.
Why did you join Bankuet?
My driving force is using my time and skills to help people design the reality we want to live in. That’s what I am passionate about, projects that focus on social impact and education. Being a part of Bankuet makes me feel grounded, inspired and part of a community that’s doing something worthwhile to help people.
Tell us a fun food-related memory?
I cried the first time I ate Iranian café Dishoom’s black dal! I had no idea tasting new food could make you so incredibly emotional. It was amazing - I was sitting in the restaurant, crying. Simmering black lentils and lots of butter over three days, they pour their love into the dish and you can definitely taste it!
Didz Parker, Advertising Creative and Copywriter
Why is Bankuet important?
Bankuet is an empowerment tool, bringing together food banks and people who need them with people who want to help. Food banks can sign up and tell us what they need and they’ll get it. People in crisis can turn up to a food bank knowing it will have what they need. If you want to help, Bankuet empowers you in a way that is more useful than just chucking the food banks a tin of beans. It’s crazy to think that in one of the wealthiest nations in the world people are using food banks - I live in a working class area of London and it would be people on my street.
Why did you join Bankuet?
The stats write themselves. Last year we helped feed 500 people. This year in the last two months we have fed 5000. In advertising I worked on briefs for cars, booze, the internet, and hoped for something to come along where I could actually help people. I’m lucky that I’m involved with something that is very easy to be passionate about, creating a brand that is making a real, positive, powerful impact. It’s times like this when people stand up and make a difference.
Tell us a fun food-related memory?
I ran a market stall with a friend for about a year called Pot Dog. Sitting in a pub, watching people struggle to eat hot dogs, dropping their fillings etc., we thought ‘why not put it in a pot?’ We lived next to Maltby Street Market in South London and said ‘let’s just do it’. It was a brilliant experience and we met so many amazing characters, like Eddie, owner of Waffle On, who never stopped talking. Market People are a different world - invariably very hard working and invariably slightly odd. A really great adventure!
Join Amy, Morin and Didz in the Bankueteer team and make a difference today!