It’s 2 p.m. this Tuesday, December 2. The Secours populaire on rue de Trégain, in the Maurepas district of Rennes, has just opened. “It’s the shot,” says Patrick Pierre, a volunteer with this association which helps the most deprived in this neighborhood. The queue to collect a load of groceries, baby clothes or get help with administrative procedures is always full.
In this priority district of the city, 65% of the population, particularly in the Brno street sector, lives below the poverty line according to the new report from the Observatory of Inequalities published this Tuesday, December 3, 2024. makes it the poorest district of Rennes, and even of Brittany.
“Red meat? Once a month, and again…”
At Secours populaire, “more than half of the members are in an irregular situation, seeking asylum,” confides Patrick Pierre. Like Cécile, 39, volunteer and member, who benefits from emergency accommodation “when there is space”. Arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo in France in 2023, she receives nothing, no allowance.
And then there are profiles like that of Philippe, 53 years old on November 15, who lives in a small apartment in a tower on Square Hippolyte-Dayot with his ex-brother-in-law. At the RSA for around ten years, he was forced to stop his activity as a plasterer because of two herniated discs. “I receive 615 euros per month. My ex-brother-in-law hosts me and I contribute to the rent and food costs.”
Philippe admits, “it’s a little hard to eat.” Because his brother-in-law, a retiree, also lives below the poverty line, since he receives around 1,000 euros per month. With his income, Philippe can, every month, take food from Secours populaire. However, not enough to last a whole month. “Otherwise, I go to the supermarket. I buy what costs the least, pasta, roast pork… Sometimes a chicken for five bucks makes two or three meals. » The fish? “Never, it’s overpriced.” Red meat? “Once a month, and then again. Last time, I had a small roast beef. It didn't last long, it's so good. A box of ravioli is nice, but after a while… Somehow, we live with hunger. »
“No presents for Christmas”
Because for Philippe and his brother-in-law, breakfast is coffee and that's it. At lunchtime, “we don’t have lunch, my brother-in-law has some cakes if necessary. We eat well in the evening. » Not one to complain, the one who was also a mason will “still try to mark the occasion for Christmas, but we won’t give each other any presents”.
If he only receives 615 euros, he tries to put aside around 200 euros every month “in case of hard times, if the fridge is empty” or if the washing machine breaks down. “I got ours six years ago for 20 euros on Leboncoin. A part was defective, I was able to have it repaired for 40 euros. It has been running ever since.” Lack of resources leads to resourcefulness.
Leisure activities remain. But without money, it's hard to have it. “We pass the time in front of the TV, or I go stretch my legs in the neighborhood. My sister wanted to invite me on vacation to the mountains. But it's too expensive and I don't want her to pay for it. I'm not like that. Sometimes she comes to pick me up and takes me around, or buys me a restaurant. Being surrounded feels good.”
France
