Exclusive Mayfair Club supports homeless project

Clemente Attolico and colleagues with the delicious lunches they are taking to Farm Street.

A prestigious Private Members Club in the heart of Mayfair has got involved with a project providing meals to people living on the streets.

Mark's Club, in Charles Street, is one of several exclusive clubs to offer food donations to a homeless lunch project organised by the Central London Catholic Churches.

Annabel's, George and Harry's Bar, similarly exclusive clubs with a VIP list closed to most people, have also got involved, joining five-star hotels including the Connaught, Claridges and the Mandarin Oriental.

Set up in 2020 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and supported by Westminster City Council, the homeless lunch service is run from Farm Street Church twice a week and can serve up to 180 people.

Clemente Attolico at Mark's Club, told ICN that they heard about the project through Harry's Bar.

They offer a variety of food, depending on the availability of the produce in the kitchen.

Clemente added: "We simply got involved so that we could participate more actively in our community's wellbeing. A lot of properties were helping and it was only fair for us to participate as well. We are a small club, but we try to do our part."

Father Dominic Robinson, parish priest at Farm Street church, said: "I'm so grateful to all the clubs for coming on board. It makes this such a wonderful community project which shows that a neighbourhood as wealthy as Mayfair also has a heart for the poorest."

Besides the homeless lunch, served in the Arrupe Hall, the London Jesuit Centre, 114 Mount Street, also hosts the Cana Lounge Café downstairs where they serve tasty treats, hearty soups, sandwiches and hot cooked meals on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 11am and 2.30pm.

All items are offered for a reasonable recommended donation. All Café staff are volunteers, typically homeless or unemployed. The café's mission is to help leverage skill development to get folks back into employment. Come and be a part of their journey. All food is made and prepared onsite. Daily specials, always fresh!

Takeaway and catering services are also available. For more details see links below.

LINKS

Farm Street Church: www.farmstreet.org.uk/

Cana Cafe: www.farmstreet.org.uk/cana-cafe

Mark's Club: https://marksclub.co.uk/