After having regained better financial health thanks to the generosity of the Frenchrestaurants which were in crisis last year, are breathing again but are facing a constant increase in beneficiaries.
What's new on the Restos du coeur de Malpère network in Toulouse, as everywhere in France, is the help provided to early childhood explains Annie, a volunteer since 2016: “before they were served up to 18 months, now it's up to 36 months“It's a decision taken by the national authorities of the association to help single-parent families, explains Annie, among the diapers carefully stored on the shelves and the little baby food jars waiting to be taken away by the beneficiaries.
Food aid, kindness and listening
The association created by Coluche helps 110,000 people in Occitanie and distributes 12 million meals. This Tuesday in Toulouse, on the air Restaurants from the heart in Malpère near Saint-Orens, beneficiaries lined up to register, collect their food packages and packages for children (diapers, small pots, moisturizing cream, etc.). “The branch welcomed 1,326 families during the last summer campaign, and its number of beneficiaries increases by 20% every 6 months.” explains Alain, also a volunteer.
In the queue leading to the room filled with cans, packets of pasta and fresh fruit and vegetables, this mother agrees to testify under condition of anonymity : “I have two children, one who is four months old and one who is three years old. We get diapers, takeaway meals, yogurt, cakes, milk. I signed up because I needed it compared to difficult ends of the month At the end of each month, I have around €100 left and I find myself overdrawn.” Asked about what the Restaurants bring her, this mother answers bluntly: “Their kind help. They listen. They are there for us. They bring us joy and food for the weeks to come.”
In Malepère for this Tuesday afternoon alone, there were 12 volunteers mobilized.
