Launched in September 2022, and backed by apparel brand Runr, the Food Bank Run encourages UK runners to support local communities by running to their local food bank with supplies.
The main focus on the Food Bank Run (FBR) initiative is in February 2023, as this is the time of year that food banks are used the most. Runr adds that, amidst an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the issue of food bank dependency across the UK is not going away any time soon.
Craig Winter, Co-founder of Runr, said “So far we have over 400 clubs, groups and organisations who have come forward and said that they will carry out their own food bank run.
“We’ve had England Athletics, Women’s Running, The National Run Show and others all help spread the word; and we want to get this movement in front of as many runners as possible, in the hope they join forces and make a difference in their local area.”
Five steps to creating an FBR:
- Locate nearest food bank and make contact
- Organise a date in January/February to organise the run – ensuring that the food bank is open on that day
- Identify the supplies most required by the food bank to create a list for runners to buy goods
- Plan a run route that accounts for all abilities, with more than one starting point to allow for those running at different speeds or distances
- On the agreed date, set off on the run and donate food and supplies to a good cause
The number of people using food banks has now reached 2.1 million in the UK, up from 1.6 million five years ago.
February is a key time of the year where families are hardest hit. Christmas has come and gone, a time where families feel the pressure to put food on the table and spend extra money. In addition, by February, winter weather in the UK can add further pressure on household bills for those struggling to make ends meet.
