" Hello !
When is the next distribution?
Because my son tried to call you but it didn't answer ... "" We are in the process of organizing the next one.
We'll call you back.
“Outside, when she has just left the square, Halima is discreetly approached by another lady who passes in front of the local St-Blaise Solidaire, place Bilal-Berreni (20th century).
Since she and her mother, Dalla Dramé, began distributing food parcels to the poorest in the neighborhood, they have been regularly accosted in the street by someone looking for a little help.
For a year, and the first confinement, the number of beneficiaries of this local association has continued to grow.
Retirees, single unemployed, families ...
While St-Blaise Solidaire came to the aid of around sixty families at the start of the health crisis, today there are 203 registered on the association's file.
"These are the young people who, at the start of the first confinement, realized that there were very few elderly people doing their shopping," recalls Dalla.
With her daughter Halima and a few young people from the neighborhood, they decided to offer the delivery of food parcels to these neighbors in difficulty.
About ten people at the start.
Word of mouth then spread very quickly and the Dalla association, initially dedicated to aid and development in Mali, completely reoriented its activity to help the neighborhood in difficulty: retirees, the isolated unemployed but also families.
DR
“People really appreciate it when we come to bring the packages to their homes.
Many, out of pride, do not dare to go and ask for help by going to the Restos du Coeur, ”says Dalla.
“With home delivery, they are not afraid of being recognized by neighbors who pass in front of the charity,” says Nouhad, a volunteer.
To fill the bags, the mother of the family also calls on the generosity of the neighborhood.
“We organize food drives from local supermarkets.
We sit at the entrance to the stores and hand customers a list of the products we need.
Some supermarkets also pass on their unsold products to us, ”says Dalla.
For distribution, "all the neighbors are doing it"
Afterwards, for logistics, it's Halima, her 22-year-old daughter, who manages.
“She organizes the tours.
All the neighbors get in there: the little ones bring the bags to the surrounding buildings and the older ones make the deliveries by scooter or van, ”says Dalla.
This neighborhood solidarity, Dalla would like to continue to bring it to life after ... when the health crisis subsides.
Today, the association is so well established that it needs a permanent place to continue the collection and distribution of food and why not, to offer new services.
Dalla is already thinking about tutoring classes.
"We could also organize waste collection days with the children to introduce them to ecology", likes to imagine Lamia, her sister-in-law.
A new location in December?
Problem: the precarious lease of the premises made available by the social landlord Paris Habitat expires.
In support of a petition, Dalla and her 20 or so volunteers began collecting signatures to obtain a reprieve.
“200 households are counting on us!
She insists.
A mobilization that will not need to be carried out any longer.
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“The premises that the association occupies are commercial premises.
We will keep them there until December, when another room will be ready, ”assures Eric Pliez, the mayor of the 20th century and president of Paris Habitat.
“It would be completely crazy not to support the associative sector, especially at this time!
»Admits the chosen one.