REPORTING. In Denain in the North, the town hall offers anti-inflation checks to residents, without means testing

This is the second year that the city of Denain in the North, one of the poorest in France, has set up this operation.

A welcome boost in these times of inflation, especially in food prices: the city of Denain in the North, one of the poorest in France, offers all inhabitants who wish, without condition of means , the possibility of benefiting from a check book of 50 euros in vouchers. The only condition is to spend them at the merchants of the city. The initiative, proposed last year for the first time (75% of the sum was for food expenses), is still enjoying success in the town of 20,000 inhabitants.

The municipality has more than 30% of unemployed

Energetic and smiling, it is Anne-Lise Dufour-Tonini, the mayor of Denain, who welcomes the inhabitants who come to withdraw their checkbooks as soon as the town hall opens at 9 am. “I’m going to the hairdresser”confides Geneviève with a happy laugh, “You have to look good! And it’s better when it’s free, that’s for sure. It’s a little boost.” This year once more, the initiative is acclaimed in this municipality which has more than 30% of unemployed people and many poor workers. Among them, there is Jean-Marie who confides that, even with his salary as a security guard, “it’s hard.” And he adds: “Given the inflation, this check will necessarily be used to buy food… Mainly at the butcher’s level.”

Especially since the operation is organized during Ramadan and the Easter holidays. “In Denain, the Easter period is carnival”explain Anne-Lise Dufour-Tonini, “This is the time when the Denaisiens who have left the town come back with their families. This check will allow families to get together and have a meal together, in a very friendly way and helped by the city.”

There are 20,500 inhabitants in Denain, that’s 7,250 households and there, there are 6,500 people who have registered. This boost of 50 euros is a breath of fresh air.”

Anne-Lise Dufour-Tonini, Mayor of Denain

franceinfo

Just opposite the town hall, we find Raymonde at the checkout of the L’Orientale butcher’s shop. “These 50 euros will help a lot for things that we don’t have the opportunity to afford and that we will afford at least once: vegetables, meat”, testifies the Denaisienne. And when asked regarding the amount of her retirement pension, she replies bitterly: “She’s pathetic, like everyone else.” For Lakhtar, the grocer, this check is also a breath of fresh air that allows him to earn “between 10 and 20% more revenue.” And he says: “People have fun, they order lambs, roast beef.”

Fabrice Chiareri is a jeweler and treasurer of the union of traders in Denain. “We are 80 traders to be able to collect these funds”he describes, “Food is a priority but on a set, everyone feels the benefits.” The town hall of Denain is already thinking of renewing this aid next year.