A North London housebuilder has donated £2,000 to support two groups which are working hard during the current Covid-19 crisis to keep vulnerable people feed on the streets of London.

The Felix Project and Food For All each received a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes North London thanks to its Community Champions scheme. Each month the housebuilder donates up to £1,000 each to two groups or individuals in the local area.

The Felix Project rescues food that cannot be sold and would otherwise go to waste, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, salad, meat and fish. Last year, the project redistributed enough food to provide 6.4 million meals, and this coming year, in response to Covid-19, they are expecting to triple their food output.

Phil Gray, spokesman for the project, said: “Right now, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, three million people in the UK are going hungry. The Felix Project is helping to feed some of the most vulnerable people in our capital city. We usually rescue and deliver 10 tonnes of food a day – we’re now delivering closer to 30 tonnes, and the numbers grow every week.”

Phil added: “This kind donation from Persimmon Homes will enable us to deliver enough food to provide 5,500 meals for vulnerable people across London. These are unprecedented times and we are incredibly grateful for the tremendous support we’re receiving in the face of this crisis, which is allowing us to grow and continue our vital operations. We need the support of local businesses and communities more than ever in order to feed London.”

Food For All, based in Watford, helps to support young, vulnerable people on the streets of inner London and is continuing to provide a free hot meal service throughout the current crisis.

Steven Mcnamara, spokesman for Food For All, said: “Our programme offers food, rehabilitation and mindfulness programmes to young and vulnerable people and we feel we are needed now more than ever during this current time. We are grateful for the support of Persimmon Homes North London.”

Rachel Faulkner, sales director for Persimmon Homes North London, said: “These are unprecedented times and we are delighted that our donations through the Community Champions scheme can be put to such good use.”

For the foreseeable future, Community Champions, which has run since 2015, will be targeted at over-70s groups with two donations of up to £1,000 available every month in the region.