“We don’t know where we’re going…”, the Restos du Coeur winter campaign begins with the concern of a larger number of beneficiaries

If the 40th Restos du Coeur winter campaign was officially launched on Tuesday, November 19, in Troyes, we were already in the thick of it on Monday. The waiting room for new registrations is always full and we expect here, in the most important distribution center in Champagne-Ardenne, the 2nd in Grand Est behind Strasbourg, to welcome even more beneficiaries this winter.

“This week I have pasta, brioche for breakfast, yogurt and some canned goods“. Maryline finishes her little weekly tour at the Restos du Coeur de Troyes distribution center. A beneficiary for several months, this cleaning lady had no other choice than to push open the doors of the association to seek help. to eat and drink. Unemployed since the end of his last contract, his modest income is provided by France Travail and the RSA.I earn 470 euros per month“. With a rent of 520 euros (220 in reality because 300 euros are covered by housing assistance) and an energy bill of 158 euros per month for a modest little Type 2 house, the Restos du Coeur allow you to survive while waiting to find a job and have a little more than 92 euros to live on.

I earn 470 euros per month.

Maryline, beneficiary of Restos du Coeur

Like her, dozens of them come here every day for food, a little comfort or a little coffee… That morning, a little girl had fun listening to a stuffed panda with a stethoscope, under the gaze moved by his mother who is waiting for her turn to fill her basket. A little carelessness and love to forget, for a moment, the reality of a daily life that has a name: poverty. The Morin center in Troyes welcomes 1,200 families every week, which represents 2,600 people. It is, after Strasbourg, the most important distribution center in terms of beneficiaries in the Grand Est. And the figure is not expected to decrease.

This Tuesday, November 19 marks the opening of the 40th Restos winter campaign. Since October 28, registrations have been open and the reception and file study offices are always full. “We don’t know where we’re going…“, confides with concern Catherine Perinet, the manager of the Troy site, who expects to have to face ever more numerous beneficiaries in the coming months. “+20%? +30%? We don’t know“, she continues.

It’s not always easy to take the step (…) but you shouldn’t hesitate because it helps a lot…

Françoise, beneficiary of Restos du Coeur

Until now, you had to prove an income of less than 667 euros per person to be admitted to the Resto du Coeur, but this year the scale is changing and it should increase the number of eligible people. “We are already seeing retirees who we saw a little less before“, explains Yvan Bertin, the president of Restos du Coeur de l’Aube, “to which are added students“. Françoise, 61 years old, and Guy-Clément, 67 years old, cohabiting partners in life, have to get by on the man’s only pension, i.e. 900 euros per month. A financial reality which forced them to turn to Restaurants in 2024.”It’s not always easy to take the step“, concedes Françoise, “but even if it’s a little hard at first, you shouldn’t hesitate because it helps a lot…“

Helping her neighbor is the choice that Marie made. A volunteer since March, that morning she was responsible for distributing bread and milk. Always in a good mood. “If I can make a few of them smile, when I go home, I’m happy“, admits the one who “likes to give time to people who need it“. However, this smile hides another reality. That of time passing and which makes you realize that sometimes it only takes a little to become the one who receives and stop being the one who gives. Marie is looking for a job and she is soon coming to the end of her rights. “I can’t find a job, but I am dynamic,” explains this volunteer who worked on shelves before finding herself unemployed.My unemployment is nearing the end, maybe one day I’ll be on the other side“.