Restos du coeur: “Volunteers distributed 29,000 meals in 2023”

Les bénévoles de l’équipe d’Agde (ici une partie) ne comptent pas leur temps pour venir en aide aux démunis.

At the start of 2024, it is time to take stock of the past year for the Restos du coeur d’Agde. Meeting with the manager, Marie-France Dersch, and her deputy from the city center, Anny Dumas.

What is the outcome for 2023 ?

The team of around twenty volunteers distributed 29,000 meals in the Agde, Vias and Bessan sector. We have around 60% single people and families with children. The people who come to us for help are in very precarious circumstances, unemployed, in a very difficult personal situation or with a small part-time job just covering the rent costs.

Is the situation identical in the department ?

Yes of course. With the current situation, the arrival of winter with heating costs, we have a growing number of applicants locally. In the department, we serve 4 million meals annually for 29,500 people and this is activated by 1,260 volunteers.

How do you collect foodstuffs and various products ?

We have some actions aimed at the general public. We have just completed the gift package operation in the hypermarket galleries. We have a large national collection in March and a lottery in Montpellier followed by another in Agde, the date is to be defined.

Avez -you partners ?

The local Hyper U and Intermarché stores provide us with food every week. Individuals also with donations help us a lot and the town hall services with access to a large free premises as well as a vehicle and a small truck offered.

Do you provide other support to people ?

Our teams of volunteers are trained to listen, using people. We must understand their situation and, in certain cases, direct them to the competent services of the City, social workers or the State.

This represents daily work ?

Yes it's huge. Beyond distribution, there is a lot of preparation work, recovery of the goods and installation. We always need people who want to get involved in helping others.

The store is open Wednesday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Thursday and Friday morning and afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1, boulevard du Saint-Christ. Contact: ad34.agde@restosducoeur.org and 04 67 00 29 18.

Correspondent Midi Libre: 06 80 28 29 54.

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