Food For London Now: Turner Prize winner lends a hand to help feed capital as auction closes

A Turner Prize-winning artist joined volunteers at Refettorio Felix, a food kitchen in Earl’s Court supplied with produce by The Felix Project that provides fresh meals to vulnerable people.

Mark Wallinger, who won the prize in 2007 for his installation State Britain, helped pack and serve lunches for the socially distanced queue of people waiting for their midday meal.

The British artist’s 2001 work, Ghost, is going under the hammer at the Sotheby’s Help the Hungry Auction in aid of our Food For London Now appeal beneficiary, The Felix Project, the UK’s largest food surplus distributor.

The auction, is part of our campaign aiming to raise £10 million to tackle food poverty in London over the next three years.

Wallinger said: “It’s great to be here at Refettorio Felix. It is a fantastic charity and it’s tremendous to get involved and see how the place works.”

He encouraged others to get involved too. “People can volunteer their time or donate or just spread the word that the scheme is helping at this difficult time.”

Wallinger also extolled the work of the Evening Standard and The Felix Project since lockdown: “Especially in light of the Covid-19 crisis, this work is hugely vital. It is a marvellous and essential thing.”

He was joined by Laura Weir, ES magazine editor, and together they helped volunteers from The Felix Project to prepare and serve lunch to the crowd waiting outside.

Refettorio Felix’s CEO Ali Kingsley said: “It was great to have Mark here. As lockdown eases, it’s crucial we continue to remember the most vulnerable in our capital and help them in any way we can.

“Nobody should go hungry and we will continue to work to ensure that this becomes a reality.”