Currently on partial unemployment due to the health crisis, Florent, 37, who works in events, is not the type to sit idly by.
"Me, I'm active," he enthuses.
So rather than remaining cloistered and brooding, he decided to give his time to the Restos du cœur, in the Colombes distribution center (Hauts-de-Seine), only 200 m from his home.
“It allows me to meet people, to take care of people, to feel useful,” he confides.
Like him, many, during the spring and fall confinements, have offered their help to the charity which is inaugurating its 36th campaign this Tuesday.
"There are many who discovered volunteering on this occasion, who liked and who continue", observes Bruno Dumas, manager (volunteer) of the voluntary service of the Restaurants, at the head of an army of 73,000 women and men. with a big heart.
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When the country was placed under the bell in March, a national appeal to good souls had been launched to replace the over 65s (considered to be more fragile in the face of Covid-19) invited to no longer roll up their sleeves in person and therefore to temporarily withdraw.
Some 10,000 applications had then poured in, emanating, in particular, from young workers forced into partial unemployment.
All could not be honored, the offer being ultimately too large.
But several thousand reinforcements, especially in the big cities, took their first steps in the service of the most precarious come to fill their cart with foodstuffs.
"We were thus able to maintain the number of volunteers, it is our greatest asset," applauds Bruno Dumas.
With deconfinement, marked by the resumption of economic activity, a lot of new arms continued their missions.
“But we also lost some old people.
It is difficult for them to come back, some may have felt a little sidelined, even if
televolunteering
has sometimes been possible, for example to give French lessons or legal advice ”, recognizes their guardian angel.
Staggered hours
To attract new profiles who "coexist very well" with the old ones, the opening of the various branches at staggered hours is encouraged.
"For example during the week, from 5 pm to 8 pm, or on Saturdays, from 8 am to noon," explains Bruno Dumas.
While the health crisis is coupled with a recession that risks causing the number of beneficiaries to jump permanently into poverty, all goodwill ready to "lend a hand" are welcome.
New volunteers came to replace the over 65s, considered more vulnerable in the face of Covid-19./LP/Philippe Lavieille
For this 36th campaign, the organization founded by Coluche, which distributed 136.5 million meals in the previous season and fed 875,000 destitute people, invites those interested to contact one of the 1,915 activity centers. to find out their needs for new blood.
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Florent, Colombes' new recruit, is won over by his first experience of volunteering.
At the moment, he is in action “every day”, preparing packages or registering beneficiaries.
"I find that interesting," he sums up.
He promises to continue "after having resumed work".
"I contribute at my level"
When Mylène, 29, who distributes meals to people in the streets of Le Mans (Sarthe) after responding to the call for springtime arms, got involved, the center manager had warned her in the tone of the humor: "When we sign with us, we sign for life!"
The one which was "very well received" encourages all citizens to try the adventure.
Mylène distributes meals in Le Mans (Sarthe): "Giving your time one evening a week doesn't cost much." / LP / Dominique Breugno
"Giving your time one evening a week doesn't cost much," she says.
She takes her role to heart.
“I contribute at my level to the fight against poverty.
It is in the continuity of my social fiber ”, explains this medico-psychological aid which accompanies people with disabilities.
She appreciates the "richness" of the exchanges even if "it is not the world of Care Bears".
“The beneficiaries always say thank you,” she recounts.
His contacts with the extreme precariousness also allow him "to put into perspective on his own galleys".
“We say to ourselves that there are worse than us!
Me, I have a roof over my head and to eat on my plate, my children are in good health… ”
VIDEO. Les Restos du cœur goes to emergency aid for the homeless
To make a secure online donation or set up a direct debit, go to the website: dons.restosducoeur.org.
By mail, send a check payable to Restaurants du Cœur: Les Restaurants du Cœur - Donors Department - 42, rue de Clichy, 75009 Paris.