Advertisement

Help feed London’s homeless alongside Olivia Colman and Ian McKellen

Photo credit: Sean Gallup
Photo credit: Sean Gallup

Though the pandemic seems to be coming to an end, its effects are far from gone. Many, especially the homeless, have been left at an even greater disadvantage in light of the Covid crisis. But there are ways Londoners and those who live near the capital can help.

Cue the Felix Project. London’s largest food-redistribution charity operates on a very simple mission: they take surplus food from the food industry (from supermarkets and hotels to your local Pret) and deliver it for free to local charities and schools to help feed London’s most vulnerable communities.

Since its inception back in 2016, the project has secured help from countless celebrities, including the chef Melissa Hemsley, The Crown star Olivia Colman and Ian McKellen. Last year, the charity delivered the equivalent of 21.1 million meals for children and families, the homeless, the elderly and isolated, women and refugees living in shelters, key workers and people who lost their jobs as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The charity hopes to deliver the equivalent of 100 million meals to those in need with the ultimate aim of ending hunger by 2024. And you can help.

The Central London programme is a great way to give back on your way home from work or even during your lunch break. The Green Scheme, a walking and cycling route starting from Old Street, has room for 32 volunteers a week. All you have to do is turn up post volunteer registration, grab your collection bag and stock up on food from restaurants and businesses assigned on route.

Photo credit: The Felix Project
Photo credit: The Felix Project

Central London in particular has been hit hard by the pandemic. Most of the hostels and shelters in the capital’s heart have remained open throughout. Homelessness remains a huge – and rapidly increasing – problem, with more people queuing for hot meals in places like Trafalgar Square than ever before.

“What has shocked me most is the growing scale and nature of homelessness in London,” says Justin Byam Shaw, the founder of the Felix Project. “On a bitterly cold night in December, I went to St Martin’s in the Fields to visit one of the new open-air kitchens supplied by Felix. I counted more than 150 people waiting patiently in line for a cup of soup, where once there would have been just 15.”

Since lockdown began, the project has nearly tripled the amount of surplus food that was otherwise destined for landfill, teamed up with local organisations and businesses to get homemade ready-meals to the homeless and NHS staff, and formed the London Food Alliance with two other food charities to make sure they are all working in collaboration throughout the crisis.

Catherine Thorpe, a volunteer and trustee for the project, says: “It’s one of the most rewarding ways to spend your time.” The former lawyer was inspired by a friend who was volunteering for the project and decided to partake in a van run to pick up food for those in need. Countless runs later, she often volunteers on a weekly basis delivering food to local charities in Islington and further afield on a shift-by-shift basis, some for as little as two hours. “The great thing about Felix is that you can devote as little as one hour of your time, whether it be on a walk, or a run, and know you are making a difference to someone less fortunate than yourself.”

To sign up for the Central London Green Scheme and to volunteer, visit the Felix Project volunteer pool.