“Any players here?
I did not even know !
They were not immediately recognized by the students.
Marvin Gakpa and Warren Caddy first went unnoticed, giving meals and food bags to those who came during the Secours populaire distribution on Thursday around 5 p.m., at the bottom of the Villiers-sur-Marne university residence.
Because, between a few photos and discussions around the round ball, the concerns were mainly mutual aid.
The increasingly committed club
Since December, Paris FC has been stepping up social initiatives.
Actions that have been accentuated since the Covid-19 health crisis.
"We talk a lot with the Secours populaire to see what it is possible to do" explains Kevin Briand, communication manager of the Parisian club.
“The students are kind of our audience and those who watch football, so obviously this approach seemed logical to us.
"
By 5:00 p.m., several students were already waiting while the club and the volunteers took out bags and meals from the van.
“This kind of distribution helps me enormously,” says Célise, a work-study student.
“This month, I don't know if I would have had the means to eat if it hadn't been for these meals.
Many young people are in this situation, to which is added the isolation they experience on a daily basis.
“This kind of thing also allows us to have interactions and to move so as not to stay locked in our home,” says Marc, a marketing student.
“With distance learning, I've been in front of a screen every day since October, so it's not easy.
"
Each student had the opportunity to take several dishes as well as a bag of hygiene products.
Motivated players
In Villiers-sur-Marne, it was the first time that Paris FC participated in a student distribution.
“It's a start but we will continue.
Monday, we will help that of Vitry-sur-Seine with other players who also wanted to take part, ”explains Kevin Briand.
Because if the actions of the club are multiplying, this is accompanied by a strong will of the professional workforce who immediately responded to the proposal.
“The players are very demanding to respond to these actions.
We had even had too many volunteers for this one ”, also indicates the person in charge of the communication.
“I was not aware that Paris FC was going to be present.
It's nice to discuss football with them and to be able to talk a little longer.
Marc, like some other young people, was thus able to take the time to discuss football in a friendly and sharing atmosphere that the club intends to bring to each of its next tours.
The distribution took place at the entrance to the Villiers-sur-Marne university residence.
AT