“Summer is a time of loneliness”: in Paris, volunteers from August food relief come to the aid of the most vulnerable

On the sidewalk, less than a step from the small gate of the parish of Saint-Hippolyte, an alignment… of shopping carts.

Their owners wait patiently, and for some for nearly two hours, the opening of the door.

Despite the trees, shade is rare on Avenue de Choisy (13th), plastic bottles crunch and empty.

These women and men, including many elderly people, but also mothers, men of all ages, know that they will be able to take advantage of the day's distribution to fill their bottle at the tap of the Saint-Hippolyte parish.

This is part of the reception, even if providing water is not the main mission of the August food relief association (ASA), which is carrying out its 28th summer "campaign" this August, and s is preparing to distribute more than 900,000 meals.

Some 500 tonnes of basic foodstuffs, to which will be added seasonal fruits and vegetables, eggs, fresh bread every day and “little extras” as they arrive.

Water to those who wait

“Our mission is to take over from all the organizations and associations that take a break in August, recalls Jean de Lasa, the president of the association.

But of course the associated objective is to welcome these people, because summer is not only a time when help is scarce, it is also a time of great loneliness.

The persistent heat is added to it... We are careful, this center welcomes the largest distribution among the 4 places in Paris, there are people and the wait is long outside, so we regularly come by to offer drinks to those who wait, then they have the small bar and we refill the bottles.

»

Inside, the “rush” lasts more than 4 hours for the team of volunteers, present from the morning to prepare the blue, pink or white bags, depending on their content and recipient.

"Blue for families, pink for single people who can heat food, white for those who have nothing to heat up," says Jean de Lasa.

“The novelty this year is people who took the pinks and asked for white… Energy inflation is hitting them hard”.

Read alsoEnergy prices: one in five French people say they suffered from the cold in 2021

In addition to these parcels, each person received receives milk, pastries, bread and daily fresh additions.

"The melons, you have to give them all away, otherwise it's trash!"

», warns Alain Barbero, who has been managing the distribution of Saint-Hippolyte since last year.

He is the conductor of an army far too light of volunteers.

“For such a center, 40 people would be needed.

Currently, there are about twenty of them,” he sighs, twirling to give the last instructions to his troops.

Lack of arms and money

This year, more than the previous ones, ASA lacks hands as much as money.

Overall, "we should shoot at nearly 400 people, we are far from 300", laments President Jean de Lasa.

The association is also looking for “nearly 200,000 euros to calmly end this month of August, which represents a budget of 500,000 euros.

This does not fall from the sky, he underlines.

We buy 40% of the products, the food bank also provides 40%… The rest comes from surplus collections.

»

Read also“It has become a luxury to live”: in the face of inflation, more and more people are turning to food banks

This cash inflow would make it possible to continue to ensure a quality supply.

"Aid is becoming more and more qualitative," says the leader.

We start from the principle that it is not because you are poor that you should eat only average products.

We have good sources of supply, but without money, we will not be able to meet the needs”.

“We have to go fast, we also need to be more numerous,” admits Émilie, 18.

Like the many young people who make up the workforce, the young woman chose to spend the month of August with the Saint-Hippolyte team "because it is important to mobilize".

This food contribution also makes it possible to provide "support" to people who are sometimes neglected in the heart of summer, believes Émilie, whom the sustained pace of distribution will not discourage.

Parish of Saint-Hippolyte (13th century), Friday afternoon.

Emilie, 18 years old and young graduate, has chosen to spend her month of August as a volunteer for Asa.

LP/Elodie Soulie

This summer, the ASA distributes:

• At the parish of Saint-Hippolyte, at 27, avenue de Choisy (13th arrondissement) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• In Saint-Léon, at 11 place du Cardinal-Amette (15th century) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• At Notre-Dame de Clignancourt, 36, rue Hermel (18th century) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• At Notre-Dame de la Croix, 4, rue d'Eupatoria (XXth) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Two centers are also open in Val-de-Marne (Créteil and Villejuif), another in Hauts-de-Seine (Colombes) and another finally in Seine-Saint-Denis (Pantin).

Information and donations on the site