new Advent bag collection season for women in emergencies

“Some college students were very interested. » Andréa Brochard, the president of the Poulettes l'Assaut association, describes the welcome given by the students of the Pablo-Neruda college to the presentation of the Advent bags. After the All Saints' Day holidays, the Saint-Pierre-des-Corps secondary school will become a new collection point.

This is the first time that the students have participated in this action to help women in social precariousness led by the association. The Chickens’ idea: bring a “bit of human warmth” to women in emergency situations during holiday periods. So they offer a bag “with a zipper, specifies the president, because in the centers where they are taken care of, she only stays six to nine months”. A little useful attention, filled with gifts that do good.

A surprise bag

“You can put a little bit of everything in it, warm clothes for winter but without a size! Like scarves, hats…”, explains Andréa. Sensory hygiene products, to pamper yourself, such as masks, shower gels that smell good “and are good for morale”can please these women who have left everything behind.

The most important thing for the association are the little touches to please put in the bags: “Drawing or coloring books, pens, markers, but also handmade gifts like cakes, children’s drawings…”

But be careful, anything sharp or potentially dangerous is prohibited: nail clippers, scissors, candles, etc.

Donation networks “close to their customers”

“Many of them are victims of domestic violence, and arrived with nothing”explains Andréa before specifying that during the end-of-year holidays, these women find a semblance of normal life.

Les Poulettes counts on a network of stores “close to their customers”and convince through discussion, as close as possible to people. Bars, hair salons and grocery stores have been collecting donations from their customers, some since the creation of the association four years ago. In total, twelve places collect complete bags or individual gifts. To each according to their means.

Collection operations take on another scale in 2024. The association is organizing a charity evening on November 22 at the Piraat Café in Tours where three groups with rock sounds, but ” soft “ promises André, will happen. Entrance is open to all and free.

The objective of Les Poulettes by December 15, the collection deadline: “Pass the mark of 1,253 bags distributed in 2023.” For these rather special Mother Christmases, this end-of-year action is also a ” struggle “ against an invisible precariousness.