Les Restos du Coeur. From 8 million meals served in 1985 to 130 million today

The 34th winter campaign of the association created by humorist Coluche opens this Tuesday. "The campaign is going to be tough and we need money," said Patrice Blanc, its president, on Tuesday. Since their creation, the Restos du cœur have become an essential element of solidarity in France.

"I have a little idea, like that ... If there are brands that hear me, if there are people who are interested in sponsoring a free canteen that we could start in Paris ..." These words, Coluche pronounced them on September 26, 1985 on the radio Europe 1. The principle of Eating heart was launched.

Thirty-three later, the "little idea" of the comedian and actor is still an indispensable remedy for many people in France. This Tuesday, September 27, 2018, the 34th winter campaign begins. Coluche died for thirty-two years, his ex-wife Véronique Colucci, who was honorary president and administrator of the Restaurants of the heart, died in April, but the Restos du cœur are still there.

From 5,000 to 72,000 volunteers

The first Restaurants opened on December 21, 1985 and then multiplied in the country. The goal of the founders was to offer 2,000 to 3,000 meals a day. 8.5 million meals will be distributed this first winter. Five thousand volunteers contribute to it.

The initiative is quickly supported by a piece of music: The song of restaurants , composed by Jean-Jacques Goldman. In this first version, we hear Yves Montand, Nathalie Baye, Michel Drucker and Michel Platini.

Since ? The French Parliament voted in 1988 the Loi Coluche, which allows donors to benefit from a tax credit on donations made to associations. The restaurants also work in the summer. In 1989, the first Enfoirés concert took place. Then were launched the Baby Restaurants of the heart, the emergency shelter for the homeless (Barge of the heart) and help with insertion. At the side of the associative world, the Restos defend with the French and European public authorities the help to the most deprived (housing, European food aid, etc.).

In 2017-2018, Restos du cœur distributed 130 million meals thanks to 72,000 volunteers in more than 2,000 centers and antennas. 860,000 people were welcomed. Restos raised 87 million euros, thanks to donations, legacies or events. A figure that may seem colossal. And yet.

"We need donations"

"The winter campaign is going to be tough and we need money," said Patrice Blanc, the president of Restos du cœur, during the Paris launch of this winter campaign on Tuesday. "We need donations. It is in December that the bulk of donations from private donors are made. The needs are not weakening, all the centers already see many inscriptions " for food aid.

"We are the heirs of the Coluche law, we are watching over its application" - Patrice Blanc president of #restosducoeur #UnRepasNeSuffitPas pic.twitter.com/rRpMJvw0ub

"There is a real fear that donations will drop," adds Patrice Blanc. Between the rise of the CSG (general social contribution) for pensioners, the elimination of wealth tax (ISF) and the future withholding tax, the upheaval of the tax landscape seems to destabilize donors.

"We had a lot of emails from pensioners answering us: " Send your mail to the Élysée " . We had never had reactions like that before, " says Bernard Vagenay, head of the donations and legacy department of the association. He says that the Restos du cœur received "one-third fewer checks" compared to the same period last year. "It represents a hole of 2 to 3 million euros. "