The baskets are back, but this time, they’re even more vital. Thanks to BanktheFood, the traditional Harvest Festival is making a heartfelt return from 1 to 14 October, not just as a celebration of the season but as a powerful community movement to fight hunger and help local families in crisis.

As food banks report rising demand and deepening hardship in the community, BanktheFood has launched a campaign calling on schools, faith groups, and residents to bring back the harvest for Food Bank Fortnight — a modern revival of the age-old tradition of giving thanks through giving back.

From school assemblies and church collections to supermarket drop-offs and donation drives, Food Bank Fortnight, the revived Harvest Festival, will take place from 1–14 October. The festival will focus on increasing food donations to the food bank during one of the toughest periods for vulnerable households.

To get involved, download the BanktheFood app, connect with your local food bank, host a Harvest collection at your school, workplace, or community group, and give what’s needed. The campaign encourages everyone to contribute what they can — whether that’s a bag of pasta, a crate of canned goods, or a few hours volunteering.

Monmouth & District Foodbank is taking part in the campaign. Foodbank Manager, Martin Howlett, said: “We are excited to partner with BanktheFood's harvest food donation drive from 1st to 14th October. As the foodbank enters its busiest autumn/winter period, it is vitally important that we receive food donations from our community so that we can help those in crisis. Public food donations to Monmouth's foodbank have fallen by 55% in three years, meaning we had to buy food in to help those in need last autumn/winter. Please help us to be ready this year by donating today, download the free BanktheFood mobile phone app to see what food we currently need and where to donate it.”

Emma Spring, Co-founder of the charity BanktheFood, added: "Together, we can make sure everyone has enough on their table this October and beyond. Our free BanktheFood app will connect you with your nearest food bank and provide a list of what they need most to help the community. It will even ping you a reminder as you go to the supermarket.”

Food Bank Fortnight is a community-wide food and donation drive that runs from 1–14 October 2025. To get involved: www.bankthefood.com