It was cramped in its premises in Sassenage, due to the increase in food insecurity. This week, the Isère Food Bank inaugurated its new location in Fontaine: 3,500 square meters of premises made available by the Isère Departmental Council. Present for 38 years in Isère, the Food Bank helps 10,000 beneficiaries every week. The BAI provides associations and municipal social action centers which then intervene with vulnerable groups. The association has also recently opened a social grocery store in Grenoble (RAYON esope 38) for students. Throughout the year in the department, there are 200 volunteers who give their time for free, in addition to the structure's 10 employees. “In Sassenage we were cramped, notes Stéphane, one of the employees. There we have room… although it will quickly be full with the collection!”
138 participating stores in the department
Because the big collection of the Isère Food Bank begins this Thursday – one day before the national campaign – and for three days. In all, more than 3,000 volunteers, recognizable by their orange bibs, will be deployed in the 185 stores participating in the operation. The association needs milk in particular, but also canned foods with proteins such as fish, lentils or beans. We can also give coffee for example. Essential donations for the operation of the association which has seen its activity increase in recent years.
25% more beneficiaries in two years
10 years ago the Isère Food Bank had 5,0000 beneficiaries, notes Philippe Guérin. “Today, every week, notes the vice-president of the association, we give 6 kilo packages to 10,000 beneficiaries. And, if only for 2022, we have had a growth of 25% in the number of beneficiaries. So we have more and more people in food insecurity, that’s very clear.” Last year, the big autumn collection allowed the Food Bank to collect 200 tonnes of food, or a little less than 10% of what the association redistributes over a year.
