Avenue Marcel-Sembat in Athis-Mons (Essonne) smells of grills. However, an advertising billboard indicates that the next Burger King is still a five-minute drive from here. That tempting smell of fried food and hamburger steak doesn't come from that far away, but from an ordinary-looking food truck. But it is not ordinary: in the middle of the ears of corn, burger buns and salads drawn on its doors, the Red Cross logo is displayed.
For two years, this vehicle has taken up residence every other Monday, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., in a parking lot in this town located south of Orly airport. At 6:50 p.m., Pascal, already there, is patiently waiting for the opening. This regular was the very first beneficiary of this mobile restaurant which feeds people in need for free. “I often order an omelette,” he says with a smile hidden by his three-day beard. I come every time, except when it rains. There are few initiatives like this in the area. »
The Red Cross has called these areas devoid of mutual aid organizations “solidarity deserts”. The association has done the math: there are 4,000 municipalities located more than 20 km from a social support structure of the French Red Cross. To open them up, the latter launched an aid plan a year ago, of which this mobile catering system is part.
A slice of conviviality
At Henry's Little Kitchen truck, the customer is king. Gourmets are entitled to a portion of fries and can choose from one of the four dishes on the menu that evening: burger, hot dog, omelette or croque-monsieur. The drinks (water, sodas) and desserts (compote, yogurts) are also varied. Only the starter is unique: vegetable soup for everyone. “We can choose what we want and that’s what’s good,” says Raul, a homeless person of Portuguese origin. Plus there is a good atmosphere and, eventually, we all know each other. »
Behind the stove, volunteers Marie-Yvonne and Cristina work tirelessly: they have around thirty meals to serve. The last member of the trio of volunteers, Salif, takes care of collecting the orders and serving the gourmets on one of the three tables set up in front of the truck. “I am very involved in the associative sector, it is my favorite mission,” says this hyperactive person. We feel useful, it's a moment eagerly awaited by the people who come to eat. » This offer of food complements the maraudes organized in Athis-Mons. “In the area, there are not enough evening meal offerings for people in need,” laments Alain Bouchard, vice-president of the departmental branch of the Red Cross.
This need appears even more pronounced in Étampes, where the itinerant restaurant visits every other Thursday. More isolated than Athis-Mons, this town in the south of the Essonne department is located in a less populated area but with equally important solidarity needs. Essonne is one of the four pilot departments with Cantal, Tarn and Haute-Garonne. “It is not always easy to identify the areas most in need; we also do this based on feedback from our marauding teams,” explains Alain Bouchard. Because even in areas where a solidarity offer exists, it can often prove to be lower than local demand.
Need volunteers
Alongside the food truck, mobility occupies a central place in the implementation of the fight against solidarity deserts. As he eats his burger, Raul opens up about his mobility difficulties: “I would love to be able to go to Étampes when the truck goes there on Thursday, but I can't afford it. A problem that I encounter on a daily basis. Moving is expensive. »
To combat isolation, the Red Cross is increasing solidarity carpooling and car sharing offers to allow people receiving assistance to go to social facilities or to their medical appointments. To better cover the areas in need, Alain Bouchard and his teams still lack the resources. With more volunteers, they could set up the truck more regularly and extend their tour to more communities. Message sent to all those who would like to give a little of their time in Essonne: the Red Cross needs you.
