more inflation, more precariousness, the 39th campaign promises to be complicated

Contents

Not very reassuring trends
“Resignation”
More donations?

By Le Figaro with AFP

Published

2 hours ago,
Update 5 minutes ago

The association is launching its winter campaign this Tuesday. Faced with the influx of requests, it was forced this year to tighten the admission conditions and the number of meals granted.

“ Hunger increases» in France, notes the president of Restos du Cœur, Patrice Douret, as the association launches its 39th food distribution campaign on Tuesday, November 21 and is forced to reduce the number of its beneficiaries due to financial difficulties.

“ Hunger is rising and more people are struggling due to inflation», Commented to certain media, including AFP, Patrice Douret, president of the association founded by Coluche in 1985.

The price increase reached 4% in October, according to the latest data from INSEE, those for energy (+5.2%) and food (+7.8%) remain strong.

Not very reassuring trends

Les Restos du Cœur is currently receiving registration requests from potential beneficiaries of food aid for the next campaign. For its launch, the president of Restos du Cœur will welcome the association’s partners as well as the Ministers of Solidarity and Agriculture, Aurore Bergé and Marc Fesneau, in a distribution center in Asnières-sur-Seine (Hauts-de -Seine).

Regarding registrations, “the trends are not reassuring» : «between 5 and 10% of people welcomed last winter are refused food aid this year ” And ” we are seeing a significant number of new eligible people», explained Patrice Douret.

Uncertainty hangs over the number of people who will be welcomed this winter. However, the Restos du Cœur must reduce their number because they are no longer able to cope with the influx of requests for help, from a logistical or financial point of view.

“Resignation”

The association welcomed 1.3 million people in 2022-2023, compared to 1.1 million during the previous period. And in recent months, its budget for food purchases, then redistributed free of charge to beneficiaries, has doubled due to inflation.

Single mothers, retirees, employees in poorly paid jobs, students: this increase in requests concerns all profiles, in all departments. 60% of sheltered households live on less than 550 euros per month.

For the first time in their history, Restos du Cœur have lowered the income level eligible for food assistance. Among those who failed, “there is a lot of resignation, people know that we are not capable of welcoming everyone», specified Patrice Douret. These people can nevertheless benefit from other services from the association, such as clothing donations or job search support.

More donations?

Despite this measure, the Restaurateurs launched an appeal in September: 35 million euros were missing to end the financial year in balance. “ Our call was heard, there was an exceptional outpouring of generosity», Underlined the president of the association. The government has granted an additional 10 million euros to Restos, which provide 35% of food aid in France. The family of Bernard Arnault, owner of the world number one luxury brand LVMH, offered 10 million euros. The rest of the amount comes from donations from businesses and individuals.

Is the survival of this emblematic association now assured? “ I don’t know», responds its president cautiously. “ We really need to continue to be supported“. He still wonders about the finances of the structure because 60% of the donations it receives are usually made between November and December. “ Will the French still be able to give at the end of the year? Do the donations received in September come from new people or are they donations from our usual supporters who will not necessarily be able to repeat their gesture at the end of the year?», asks Patrice Douret.

To overcome this difficult step, the Restos du Cœur are asking the government to set up a “food emergency plan« , « by increasing the budget dedicated to food aid associations to 200 million euros, compared to around 150 today», Indicates a press release from the association.

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