The solidarity grocery store Esope 63 takes care of its welcome in Clermont-Ferrand

The solidarity grocery store Esope 63, created in March 2018, is so well established in the Clermont landscape that it became the owner of its premises in December 2022. And it has just carried out renovation work which gives it more comfortable in its neighborhoods, at 97 Côte-Blatin Boulevard. Two important operations that the association, a branch of the Auvergne Food Bank, celebrated as it was due, this Saturday, September 28, with representatives of its partners and supporters

The purchase of the premises, for €250,000, was half subsidized by the Region, the Crédit Agricole Foundation and the French Federation of Food Banks. The work (186,000 euros) was financed to the tune of 126,000 by Crédit Agricole, Michelin, the Region, the FFBA, Revivre and the CROUS.

“We are also celebrating the forty years of the Federation of Food Banks,” underlines Pascal Coquelet, president for Auvergne. And his vice-president, Jean-Luc Mornand, at the helm of the solidarity grocery store since its launch, led the visit, including basements completely reused to create a vast storage space, a meeting room and a kitchen where workshops are organized for beneficiaries.Nearly 2,000 beneficiaries

There are nearly 2,000 of them, the vast majority of them students (1,725), but also a few apprentices and young people from the CCAS reception point. “To be a beneficiary, you must complete a file on the basis of which we calculate the remainder of your life,” explains Jean-Luc Mornand. And if you are selected, shopping at the solidarity grocery store allows you to fill a good basket at a lower cost. “Everything here is sold between 10% and 20% of the real value,” adds the manager. “For example, 20 cents for a liter of milk or 70 cents per kilo of fruit or vegetables.”

Managers and volunteers of the Esope 63 solidarity grocery store, Saturday, before the inauguration of the renovated premises. Photo Patrice Campo

Volunteers welcome

Ninety volunteers and two employees (supported by the Food Bank) ensure the operation of this grocery store like no other, where we also find cleaning and hygiene products, and even clothing. With an annual budget of 390,000 euros, financed by the Clermont Metropolis, the Departmental Directorate of Employment, Labor and Solidarity, and multiple donations. And as there are never too many of us to help, Jean-Luc Mornand reminds us that all volunteers to strengthen the team of volunteers are welcome. [email protected] Contact. [email protected]Tél. : 04.73.25.17.17. Mails :

2,250 tonnes

This is the total weight of food collected in 2023 by the Auvergne Food Bank, for around 35,000 beneficiaries. Esope 63 is one of the fifty partners listed in Puy-de-Dôme and received, in 2023, 200 tonnes of food.

Patrice Campo