Le Figaro Nantes
It's not 1:30 p.m. yet.
In La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, north of Nantes, the Restos du Cœur center has not yet opened its doors but already, around thirty people are calmly patient under a light rain.
Everyone has made an appointment to pick up their meals for the week.
On November 23, the opening day of the association's annual winter campaign, everything is ready to welcome them warmly.
Of the 33 centers in the department, that of La Chapelle-sur-Erdre “is one of the most beautiful”, immediately points out Jean-Michel Griffon.
LT/Le Figaro
“There aren't many people today
,” points out Guy Doulin, the organizer in charge of the distribution center.
However, this does not reflect reality.
“In the department, there is an increase in precariousness of around 20%”
, explains Jean-Michel Griffon, head of Restos du Cœur in Loire-Atlantique.
He specifies that the increase in the number of subscribers is partly linked to the multiplication of actions:
“Our centers are opening more often”
.
For example, the itinerant truck tours set up a year ago have been a real success.
This mobile grocery store is aimed at invisible rural people who have to choose between
“feeding themselves and putting gas in their car”
.
Read alsoThese objects refused at Nice Côte d'Azur airport checkpoints which benefit the Restos du Cœur
Jean-Michel Griffon (left), departmental manager of Restos du Cœur, and Guy Doulin, animator of the center of La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, discuss the precariousness linked to inflation.
LT / Le Figaro
If the price of fuel is a problem, the charges are just as much.
The growth of poverty is also
“linked to energy announcements.
People are preparing because of the anxiety-provoking atmosphere
, ”continues Jean-Michel Griffon.
Moreover, the registration criteria have been relaxed to take into account the increase in electricity and gas charges.
But an early registration does not mean that the person will show up in the next few weeks.
“We will see in January or February if this is confirmed”.
A full team of volunteers
Whatever happens, in the heart of the solidarity village of La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, the stocks are there and the volunteers are in full force.
“Our center irrigates 60% of the north of Nantes.
Our particularity is to be accessible by two direct bus lines”
, explains Guy Doulin, who supervises a team of 27 volunteers.
This summer, they listed 265 families.
Half of these registrants came regularly.
Among them, a dozen Ukrainian siblings.
“We receive people of all nationalities.
Sometimes some come with their interpreters because of the language problem
. ”
Some profiles become familiar.
“I've been coming here for two years
,” says Richard, 45, looking for work in a factory.
"I have a debt of 300 euros for the water, and I am almost not heated"
, he says with his American accent, inherited from his 27 years spent in the United States.
In the distribution room, each volunteer occupies a distribution station.
It can be newspapers, fruits and vegetables, bread and pastries, frozen foods, preserves, dairy products... LT / Le Figaro
In the food distribution room, another regular presents Geneviève with her entry ticket to pick up her food.
This Persian student also sees his bills explode: "
I turn off the heating because it costs too much
".
In addition to food aid, he can count on the attentive ear of the volunteers with whom he forges ties and confides.
“We are a real team. We rub shoulders with the same people and are happy to meet again
, ”abounds Françoise.
Since she retired, a year and a half ago, she gives her time to take care of very varied personalities: “
here, it goes from the immigrant to the single man, drowned in alcohol
”.
When she's not sitting at the fruit and vegetable stand, she takes care of the "
pick
up " part.
She goes to get the products offered by the local supermarkets, in order to be redistributed.
For her, using her personal vehicle is not a problem, but this is not the case for the 2,000 volunteers from Loire-Atlantique.
“We solemnly ask for help from the government”
, launches Jean-Michel Griffon, notably through tax credits.
This November 23, Françoise distributes the vegetables.
Some come from local gardens cultivated and maintained by volunteers from the Restos du Cœur.
LT / Figaro
What Françoise appreciates less, on the other hand, is the “
registrations
” section.
When people don't fit the criteria, “
it's hard to refuse help
”.
However, it is rare that someone is completely deprived of it.
“
Look at this young Algerian who came without papers, just now, we gave him a repair package
,” adds Guy.
But to benefit from lasting aid, he will have to return with supporting documents, which will be scrutinized, as for each new request.
“
We are not fooled.
We know that in 2 to 3% of cases, we get tricked but we don't want to penalize the rest of the population who really need it
, ”says Jean-Michel Griffon.
Besides,
“If someone does not fit into our scale to within 20 euros, we are not going to exclude them.
We can help him while he recovers afloat
, ”concludes the departmental president.
In the registration office, two volunteers listen to each new entrant.
LT/Le Figaro
In this room, a baby corner and a clearance sale corner are available.
Around the table, the guests can also have a coffee and chat with a volunteer.
LT / Le Figaro
