The call for help launched a year ago by Restos du coeur overwhelmed by demand bore fruit and enabled the association to support some 1.3 million people, but caution remains in order for the next campaign.
“From a forecast deficit that was estimated at 35 million euros for the national association, we are on a real landing of a surplus of 22 million euros” for the 2023-2024 campaign, indicated to AFP Patrice Douret, president of the association founded in 1985 by Coluche, during an interview in its Parisian premises.
This year, for the first time in almost 40 years of history, Restaurants had to modify the income level which qualifies for food aid, thus refusing 110,000 people.
They nevertheless still welcomed 1.3 million beneficiaries, as many as the previous campaign, according to their leader. This represents 163 million meals distributed for this 2023-2024 campaign, the second largest figure achieved after the 171 million from the previous campaign.
“This clearly demonstrates that precariousness has continued to increase and worsen,” underlines Mr. Douret.
If the Restaurants have finally found a little financial air, it is first of all “the fruit of the generosity” of the French, who responded to the exceptional call for donations launched in September 2023, by contributing up to 32 million euros, underlines treasurer Jean-Michel Richard.
The State, which already usually provides 15% of the association’s budget, added 8 million euros, and the family of Bernard Arnault, owner of the world’s number one luxury brand LVMH, participated by each contributing 10 million euros. euros.
In September 2023, Patrice Douret launched a solemn appeal for generosity on the set of TF1, affirming that “if nothing (was) done, we could have to close within three years”.
– Single-parent families and children –
He called for “a massive mobilization of political and economic forces”, emphasizing that restaurants, which provide 35% of food distribution in France, were “not strong enough to absorb the flow of people” coming to them.
Restaurants must face an increase in energy prices, increasing logistical costs, with food prices forcing them to double their food purchasing budget, which should remain at the same level next year (more than 110 million euros).
Among the French who mobilized were also many individuals whose contribution to the Restaurant budget increased by 21% over one year. The average donation amounts to 138 euros.
In addition to the 32 million who arrived after their call for help, the Restaurants benefited from “substantial work, acquisition of new donors” having brought 17 million euros and made some “8 million savings “, according to the treasurer
What will happen for the next campaign, the 40th, launched in November?
“We will be able to reopen a certain number of taps in our social actions”, without “finding a level of activity” comparable to that of 2022, warns Mr. Douret, volunteer president.
“We remain extremely reasonable and cautious about what we commit to, because we are not immune to a new crisis,” he said, welcoming “the confidence of the French” which “honors us and obliges us.
The association plans to “prioritize the most vulnerable groups, in particular single-parent families (which represent 26% of the families hosted) and children under three years of age”, who will be looked after by some 105,000 volunteers, regular or more occasional, who mobilize every year in the footsteps of Coluche.
