Banner is delighted to have provided a large stock donation to MK Food Bank in Milton Keynes. The donation included eight pallets of essential items for the food bank. The donation includes reusable cups and cutlery, with the food bank distributing these items to those in need and other charities in the local area, including the Woburn Sands Night Shelter.
Banner is committed to working in a way that ensures we achieve a far reaching social, economic and environmental impact, outlined in our CSR charter. We take pride in inclusive and active engagement with our communities across the UK, wherever possible, to support those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
As the cost of living increases, food banks are in greater demand. The Independent Food Aid Network surveyed its food banks in February 2024, and almost 75% of respondents said they had experienced an increase in demand from November 2023 to January 2024, compared to the same period a year before. They also found that 98% of services supported people seeking help for the first time.
The rising cost of living also means that donations are falling. In the same Independent Food Aid Network survey, 65% of services had seen a drop in donations, with 45% seeing a drop in financial contributions.
Banner is delighted to have worked with Simon Eady, our Key Account Manager, to organise a large stock donation for the MK Food Bank, a charity Simon regularly donates his time to.
Louisa Hobbs, Operations Manager of MK Food Bank, said: “MK Food Bank is delighted to have received such a huge donation of insulated cups and compostable cutlery from Banner. We use an increasing number of these products in our kettle packs, emergency food parcels designed for people who don’t have access to cooking facilities. In addition to this, we will be distributing the stock among our network of charitable and community organisations, such as homeless shelters, community fridges, hot food projects and cafes, and family centres. Thank you very much from all of us.”
As part of our commitment to employee well-being, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility, we offer each employee two charity leave days each year. These fully paid days allow them donate their time to a cause close to their heart, including our Group charity, evo Foundation.
Volunteering benefits the community and provides the opportunity to gain valuable new skills and experiences through learning something new, building connections, or diversifying your usual work routine.
Find out more about Banner’s commitments in our CSR Charter.