the government promises 15 million euros in additional aid to the association in financial difficulty

2023-09-03 11:52:42

A food distribution from Restos du Coeur, October 13, 2020. CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP

Responding to the appeal of the Restos du Coeur, forced to reduce the number of beneficiaries of their food distributions this winter due to financial difficulties, the government promised them additional aid of 15 million euros. “It is out of the question to even imagine that the restaurants can close the door or that the volunteers have to give up helping those who show up”assured on TF1 the Minister of Solidarity, Aurore Bergé.

She promises to put “on the table in a specific way”an envelope of “15 million euros, in the coming days” to help the Restos du Coeur “pass this period” as well as 6 million euros to associations helping very young children.

The government’s commitment comes following the association announced that it would reduce the number of beneficiaries of its food aid this winter, due to financial difficulties. “It’s a real killerheartbut we’re going to have to massively say no to people we might have taken in before inflation and we’re going to have to reduce the amount of what we give to people who fit our criteria.”declared Patrice Douret, president of the association created in 1985 by Coluche.

He estimated that around 150,000 people would have to be turned away. “Today we are not strong enough to absorb the flow of people who need food aid”explained Patrice Douret. “If nothing is done, we might have to close within three years. »

The Restos du Coeur find themselves in the red due to the “very significant increase” the number of people asking for help and a “increase in operating costs”due to inflation. Guest of the 1 p.m. newspaper of TF1Mr. Douret launched “an appeal to the political and economic forces of our country” for the “launch of an emergency food plan”. “We are not heard enough or taken seriously enough (…) but the dikes are giving way”.

“Extremely complex” situation

The association has already welcomed 1.3 million people in 2023, compared to 1.1 million for the whole of last year. And in recent months, its budget for food purchases, then redistributed free of charge to beneficiaries, has ” double “. In front of this situation “extremely complex”the Restos du Coeur have decided to reduce their number of beneficiaries.

The association, which expects to serve 170 million meals this year, compared to 140 million in 2022, provides regular aid to people in need, depending on how much is left to live. Its amount to be eligible will be revised downwards, says Patrice Douret, without giving specific figures.

Read also: In the North, twelve Restos du Coeur trucks were vandalized in Wattrelos, the suspects wanted

Despite this measure, the association needs an additional 35 million euros to end the financial year in balance. “We are calling for a massive mobilization of the political and economic forces of this country to help us get over this milestone”says Patrice Douret, who also expresses his anger. “We have been alerting the government to this situation for months, we have not been heard enough. »

The Restos du Coeur, which provide 35% of food aid in France, have an operating budget of approximately 200 million euros per year. Resources that come from private donors, companies, as well as public aid from the State and the European Union.

LFI will submit “an emergency food plan »

Sunday, the call of the president of the association was relayed by the oppositions. On the right, the president of the Hauts-de-France region, Xavier Bertrand (Les Républicains), agreed with Patrice Douret: “We need an emergency food plan! “. “The Hauts-de-France Region will be at the rendezvous of the call for Restos du Coeur”he promised on the social network.

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At the National Rally, the blame is placed on “those who have ruled us for so long” : “Their responsibility is immense. Today they shed crocodile tears! »a launched on X the vice-president of the National Assembly, Sébastien Chenu.

On the side of insubordinate France (LFI), the head of the deputies, Mathilde Panot, affirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that his party would table “a food emergency plan in the next few days”. “And everywhere in France, the “rebellious” will organize food collections, the proceeds of which they will give to humanitarian associations”she added.

The Les Mousquetaires Group and its competitor Carrefour have also announced collections. “Before the end of the year, collection operations specifically dedicated to the association via (the) Intermarché and Netto brands” will be set up by Les Mousquetaires. The boss of Carrefour explains that he is considering financial aid and through donations and collections.

Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers On the road to the Cévennes with the traveling center of the Restos du Coeur: “Without them, I can’t do it”

The World with AFP

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