"Hunger is progressing" in France, says the president of the Restos du Cœur, Patrice Douret, at a time when the association launches, Tuesday, November 21, its 39th food distribution campaign and is forced to reduce the number of its beneficiaries due to financial difficulties.

"Hunger is on the rise, more and more people are in difficulty because of inflation," Patrice Douret, president of the association founded by Coluche in 1985, told a few media outlets, including AFP.

Prices rose by 4% in October, according to the latest data from INSEE, while those for energy (5.2%) and food (7.8%) remain strong.

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The Restos du Cœur are currently receiving applications for registration from potential beneficiaries of food aid for the upcoming campaign. "The trends are not reassuring: between 5% and 10% of the people welcomed last winter are refused food aid this year" and "we are observing a significant number of new eligible people", explained Patrice Douret.

There is uncertainty about the number of people who will be welcomed this winter. However, the Restos du Cœur have to reduce their number because the association is no longer able to cope with the influx of requests for help, both logistically and financially.

Patrice Douret, president of the association Les Restos du Coeur, on September 5, 2023 in Paris © Ludovic MARIN / AFP/Archives

'Resignation'

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

Single mothers, retirees, employees in low-paying jobs, students: the increase in requests concerns all profiles, in all departments. 550% of the households live on less than €60 per month.

For the first time in their history, the Restos du Cœur have lowered the level of income that qualifies for food aid.

Among those who fail, "there is a lot of resignation, people know that we are not able to accommodate everyone," said Patrice Douret. However, these people can benefit from the association's other services, such as clothing donations or job search support.

More donations?

Despite this measure, the Restos had launched an appeal in September: it was 35 million euros short of breaking even. "Our appeal has been heard, there has been an exceptional outpouring of generosity," said the association's president.

The government has granted an additional €10 million to the Restos – which provide 35% of food aid in France. The family of Bernard Arnault, owner of the world's number one luxury goods company LVMH, has offered €10 million. The rest of the money came from corporate and individual donations.

Is the survival of this emblematic association now assured? "I don't know," its president replies cautiously. "We really need to continue to be supported."

Volunteers from the association Les Restos du Coeur prepare a food distribution, on March 21, 2023 in Paris © Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP/Archives

He still wonders about the structure's finances, as 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? Did the donations received in September come from new people or were 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 get through this difficult period, the Restos du Cœur are asking the government to put in place an "emergency food plan [...] by increasing the budget dedicated to food aid associations to €200 million, compared to around €150 million today," said a press release from the association.

With AFP

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