The logo of the Restos du Cœur.

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SYSPEO / SIPA

For the Restos du cœur, the major challenge “is to continue to face up to it.

In an emergency but also in the long term ”.

The association is launching its 36th campaign this Tuesday and expects to receive 1 million beneficiaries.

It must be said that the context is particular this year, with the health crisis but also the economic one.

Born from an idea of ​​Coluche in 1985, the Restos du cœur welcome the needy every year for their winter campaign.

Last year, 875,000 people benefited from their aid and 136.5 million meals were distributed.

"I think that this year we will exceed one million people", estimates Patrice Blanc, president of the association.

For the moment, the association figures the increase in registrations for the winter campaign at + 10%, the situations being "variable according to the departments", with an explosion in demand in Seine-Saint-Denis (+ 45% ) and in Paris (30%).

The 2008 precedent

The health crisis and its economic and social consequences have brought new beneficiaries: "since confinement, we have seen people come who have nothing left because they lost their odd jobs", describes Josiane Le Blond, head of the Argenteuil center, which welcomed 1,500 families last year and recorded 400 new registrations.

“The 2008 financial crisis resulted in an increase in two years of 25% more people seeking food aid.

We must prepare for the rise of a wave of at least equivalent magnitude, ”warns the president of the association.

The health crisis has also changed the organization of the centers.

Supported distribution has given way to a drive-through system, where volunteers bring foodstuffs to the entrance of the center where beneficiaries wait in line.

"Most of our premises are not adapted to respect the distancing instructions", explains Patrice Blanc.

Exit also the "coffee corner" which offered a moment of conviviality.

The precariousness of young people

The association also warns about the situation of young people, more and more numerous to knock on their doors.

With the disappearance of odd jobs which has plunged students into precariousness, they represent "an even more particular source of concern" for Patrice Blanc.

Those under 25 already represent nearly half of the beneficiaries, minors 40%.

Among beneficiaries over 16 years of age, 36% are looking for a job, 12% are receiving a pension, 6% have a job and 6% are students.

Before the Covid-19 crisis at the end of 2019, some 9.3 million people lived below the poverty line in France, according to INSEE, and nearly 5 million had recourse to food aid.

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