Gard The Food Bank is 40 years old

Almost all of us know the Food bank its action is so vast and lasting. But does the general public know it? In any case, he was invited to the presentation of the Gard structure with a visit to the depot, a meeting with the volunteers, discussions around numerous workshops such as the fight against food waste, the creation of easy cooking recipes, or in link with the Gard diabetics association. A photo exhibition was also there.

« The Gard food bankcreated in 1991, does not escape this logic and, with its 90 volunteers, its seven employees and its four civic services, it contributes to supporting“food”43,000 Gardoises and Gardois. In 2023, we were able to save 945,000 kg of food from food waste thanks to the modernization of our premises and the professionalism of our volunteers. » explains President Joseph Pronesti.

Even the president of the French Food Bank Federation, Jean Cottave, was there to support the action of the president of the “BA30” Joseph Pronesti and his wonderful teams.

Institutional and political partners, but also associations, essential relays in this fight, were called to come for a little walk, to drink coffee, to discuss and to move the schmilblick forward.

40 years of Food Banks… It’s awful to think that they’re here for at least that long. Since their creation, they have never been so important in our society and, since 1984 in our country, they have embodied solidarity, sharing, support and commitment.

« 1994-2024, forty years of food aid thanks to our volunteers, our daily collections, products from France and Europe, donations from our partners in the agricultural world and the Gard agri-food industry. »

In 2023, the Gard Food Bank will have 1,735 tonnes of food collected, 42,441 people welcomed, 91 associations, social grocery stores and CCAS partners and a whopping 13,000 meals (or equivalent) distributed per day!

A stone is still not to be forgotten. “ The food bank is at a turning point in its life, we will have to leave our historic premises where the first volunteers started on the clay sooner or later. We will have to leave our premises for a public utility project, but not without fiercely defending the interests of la BA30 and above all prevent this amicable relocation or expropriation from endangering the financial balance of la BA30. »

Currently, Nîmes Métropole, which is developing and carrying out the project, imposes relocation conditions without real negotiations. “ In this operation, if we ask for fair financial compensation, it is not to enrich the volunteers, but to allow these BA30 volunteers and association volunteers to work in better conditions to better serve the Gardoises and Gardois in a situation of need. precariousness or poverty. »

Despite its 110 permanent volunteers and the 1,400 charitable souls who help during the national collection which takes place in November, the BA30 still needs help! Don’t hesitate and go for it, you will contribute according to your means, financial or physical, to building a more united world.