In Reims, like everywhere else, the Restos du coeur winter campaign is in full swing. The association has eleven centers in the Marne but, to reach the most precarious, elderly, isolated or without means of transport, the association will launch a traveling tour starting next March. “We detected three white areas where we planned to organize tours because there is a real need,” explains Arnaud Persyn, departmental manager of Restos du coeur de la Marne. Particularly in the Montmirail sector or even Fère-Champenoise, we want to get as close as possible to these people who do not have the physical or financial means to travel. »
In total, around ten villages far from fixed centers will benefit from this new “service”. Around fifty new people could benefit from it. It is a refrigerated truck which will make it possible to distribute food products to the identified beneficiaries. It was financed by the national restaurant network, in partnership with the Lidl Foundation. “This project was also able to be implemented thanks to the town halls which lent us offices to register future beneficiaries. Our volunteers are being trained to carry out the three weekly rounds. »
“We know that it will happen little by little, because it’s difficult for people to come and knock on our door to ask for help,” recognizes Arnaud Persyn. This is why, every morning, the traveling truck will visit discreet places in the village to maintain the anonymity of the beneficiaries. There is also no question of the truck displaying the colors of Restos du Cœur. “We will affix two small removable stickers, we want people to feel reassured, to imagine coming to the market to get their supplies from a mobile truck, that’s really the spirit of the approach.”
Subsequently, offices will also be made available by the municipalities so that volunteers can offer administrative assistance to beneficiaries who wish it. In Marne, the Restos du Cœur have more than 8,000 beneficiaries. Every week, 30 tonnes of food are distributed by 450 Marnais volunteers.
