Meals, packages, snacks… How much does Christmas for seniors cost in Le Havre and its region?

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Meals, packages for seniors, snacks… Christmas, often synonymous with joy for children, is also an opportunity to pamper our elders. However, this generosity comes at a cost.

SO, how much do municipalities spend Le Havre (Seine-Maritime) and its surrounding areas, such as Sainte-Adresse and Montivilliers, for these festivities?

The writing of 76actu looked into the question.

80,000 euros for the Christmas parcel operation in Le Havre

First observation: in these three municipalities, distribution of food parcels is the most widespread mark of solidarity at Christmas. Especially since it is often accompanied by a moment of conviviality.

To receive one for Christmas, the City of Le Havre is asking elderly people to register in the month of Novemberunder certain conditions of resources and age.

Concretely, you must be a resident, born before January 1, 1955, have a modest income (not exceeding 17,144 euros for a single person, for example), and not carry out a professional activity.

Until November, more than 5,100 packages have been recorded. The distribution took place from December 3 to 17, 2024, over 17 dates. She mobilized 23 agents from the Municipal Social Action Center. “CCAS anti-isolation agents are also present to listen, discuss and propose solutions against loneliness,” says the City.

In 2024, the total cost of the operation is estimated at a little less than 80,000 euros.

At the same time, no alumni meals are organized at Christmas. For seniors, the city already offers “Mayor’s Day” in September, including a lunch show offered to residents turning at least 70 years old during the year.

Meals and packages in Sainte-Adresse for a total of 13,400 euros

In Sainte-Adresse, the City offers a Christmas meal to all seniors over 70 years old. Seniors had two weeks to register, until November 29.

This year, 168 participants took advantage of this meal, accompanied by musicians, organized in the Sarah-Bernhardt room. The total cost of the operation reached almost 10,000 euros, including the raffle and some 80 gifts offered in addition.

At the same time, food packages are offered to CCAS beneficiaries, including 25 families. Seniors who already benefit from the meal, and who do not pay taxes, can also register for the distribution.

“Systematically, we offer one to people over 95 years old. There are 42 of them in the town, but not all of them come for the meal, we go directly to their homes to offer it to them,” explains Odile Fischer, deputy mayor in charge of seniors.

These packages generally correspond to a complete meal. One hundred packagesprecisely, were distributed either in town halls or at home, for an amount of 3,000 euros.

Finally, a box of chocolates is offered to the 80 residents of the La Roseraie retirement home, on the occasion of the structure's Christmas meal. This represents an additional cost 400 euros.

Meals and packages in Montivilliers for a total of 59,450 euros

This year, the City of Montivilliers and the CCAS ordered 1,500 packages: 950 single packages and 550 double packages, for couples, for a total amount of 21,550 euros.

The award conditions are more flexible . You just need to be aged 70 or over and have registered at the beginning of September.

At the same time, the City is organizing its seniors’ meal. In 2024, this brought together a total of 748 guests, for an amount of 41 657 euros(this amount includes meals, bus travel and entertainment). A contribution of 5 euros per person being requested, this represents a real cost for the municipality from 37,900 euros.

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