Free and low-cost ways to support Mary’s Meals
You don’t need to spend a lot to make a big difference. Lots of small actions add up, and they are often easier to keep going than one large donation. From shopping online to sharing our story, here are 15 simple ways to help children get a daily meal in school – many of them completely free.
Why your support matters
A daily meal in school gives children the energy to learn and a reason to be in the classroom. It costs just 10p to serve a child a meal with Mary’s Meals, so every small act of support adds up to real change.
15 ways to support charity without donating money
1. FREE: Give while you shop
Did you know you can help children who are hungry get a nutritious school meal every time you shop online, at no extra cost to you? When you shop through a charity cashback site, the retailer pays the site a small commission for sending you their way – and you can choose to pass that on to Mary’s Meals.
easyfundraising
- Sign up for free and choose Mary’s Meals as your charity
- Check that your favourite retailers are listed
- Download the app (optional), shop through easyfundraising and a donation is made to Mary’s Meals automatically
TopCashback
- Create a free account
- Choose Mary’s Meals as the charity for your cashback
- Shop through TopCashback as normal
Give as you Live
Give as you Live reminds you when you visit a participating retailer, so you never miss a chance to give.
- Sign up and select Mary’s Meals
- Shop as you normally would
2. FREE: Sell things on eBay and donate a portion to charity
Having a clear out? To help a charity without donating money directly, when you list an item on eBay, select “Donate a portion to charity”, choose Mary’s Meals and set the percentage you’d like to give. There’s no extra paperwork, and eBay gives you a credit on your final value fees in line with the share you donate.
3. FREE: Fundraise for us
Hold a bake sale, host a quiz or take on a sponsored challenge. Small events can have a big impact, and our free fundraising pack has everything you need to get started.
FREE: Add Gift Aid to your existing donation
If you’re a UK taxpayer, tick the Gift Aid box when you give and we can claim an extra 25p for every £1, at no extra cost to you.
5. FREE: Ask your employer to match your fundraising
Many employers will match what their staff raise for charity, doubling your impact. It’s worth asking your line manager or HR team whether yours does.
6. FREE: Share our story
Follow us on social media and share our posts with friends and family. While this may seem like a “soft” approach to help a charity without donating money, it could result in donations from others further down the line; one share could reach someone who goes on to support children for years to come.
7. FREE: Sign up for our newsletter
Hear how your support is changing children’s lives, and be the first to know about new ways to get involved.
8. FREE: Volunteer your time
Give your time at events, in your community or as a volunteer speaker, sharing the story of Mary’s Meals with groups near you.
9. FREE: Pray with us
Join our community of prayer supporters and pray for the children who receive Mary’s Meals and everyone who makes this work possible.
10. FREE: Birthday fundraiser
Celebrating a birthday? Ask friends and family to donate to Mary’s Meals instead of buying you a present.
11. FREE (for businesses): Donate advertising space
Do you run a business with advertising space? Whether it’s a page in your magazine, airtime, a digital banner or space on your website or packaging, donating it to Mary’s Meals helps more people hear about our work. It costs you nothing extra, and it can make a lasting difference to children who are waiting for a daily meal in school.
12. FREE TODAY: Leave a gift in your will
A gift in your will costs nothing today and can help serve meals to children for generations to come. Free will-writing is available.
13. LOW COST: A small regular gift
From £5 a month, a regular gift helps serve meals to children all year round.
14. LOW COST: Charity gifts
Looking for a meaningful present? Our online shop has charity gift cards from £5 that serve meals to children in school, along with virtual charity gifts you can send instantly.
15. LOW COST: Payroll giving
Give to Mary’s Meals straight from your salary before tax, so your gift goes further.
Have we inspired you?
Ready to do a lot with a little? Every meal starts with someone deciding to help, whatever form that help takes.
Yes. Participating retailers – which often include supermarkets and large online sellers – pay the cashback site, and you can choose to pass your share to Mary’s Meals. You pay the same price for your shopping as you normally would. It’s a fantastic way to help a charity without donating money.
It costs just 10p to serve a child a meal with Mary’s Meals, so even the smallest gift makes a difference.
Absolutely. Sharing our story, volunteering, praying with us and shopping online through a cashback site all help, without costing you a penny.
Yes. There are lots of ways for groups to get involved.