The observation is dramatic: 2.3 million people will benefit from food aid in France this year, according to the latest estimates communicated by the network of Food Banks.
This is 150,000 more than in 2020, a year already ravaged by the pandemic.
“
Insecurity is gaining ground, contrary to what emerges from a recent study by INSEE,
” notes Laurence Champier, director general of the French federation of food banks.
In the third quarter of 2021 alone, the number of beneficiaries jumped 11.9% year-on-year.
The foodstuffs distributed increased by 8.5%.
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10,000 tonnes or 20 million meals
Beneficiaries and volunteers alike are counting more than ever on generosity throughout the traditional national physical fundraising weekend, from November 26 to 28.
These will be present in the supermarket during the three days.
“
We are targeting 10,000 tonnes of food to distribute 20 million meals.
The goal is to do as well as in 2020: 10,000 tons had been collected despite the closure of seven food banks in the middle of the second confinement
".
In three days, nearly 10% of the network's reserves are amassed.
The rest comes from donations from large and medium-sized stores (38%), agricultural and industrial producers (35%) as well as from the State and the European Union (17%).
Laurence Champier also deplores that the State has not continued to pay a special Covid subsidy.
In 2020, it had amounted to 5 million euros.
In total, 220 million meals were distributed over the year.
Read alsoRestos du cœur launch their 37th campaign in the middle of the fifth wave
"
The situation is particularly urgent in Martinique and Guadeloupe, where the collection will not be able to take place because of tensions while the poverty rate is twice as high
", regrets Laurence Champier.
To help all beneficiaries from November 15 to December 15, there is only one address: monpaniersolidaire.org.
It is possible to make a free donation or to compose your own basket.
"
We are looking for quality products, including canned fruits, vegetables, fish that can be eaten all year round
."
To read also Patrice Douret: "Nothing has changed since 1985, we find the same public of beneficiaries"
The national physical fundraising collides with the 37th winter campaign of the Restos du cœur.
The opportunity to sensitize the general public to help against exclusion.
"
The economy is doing better but let's not forget that the most precarious hardly benefit from the recovery
", summarizes the general manager of the French federation of food banks.
