Hello my dear friends ! I really hope that you are fine and certainly preparing christmas !
So today i would like to tell you about a nice organisation in France called "les restos du coeur" that helps every day and every year people who need help or who have difficulties and problems to live correctly, to eat , to drink some water...
The Restaurants du Cœur (far more familiarly known as the Restos du Cœur; "Restaurants of the Heart") is a French charitable organisation, the main activity of which is to distribute food packages and hot meals to the needy.
The comedian and actor Coluche launched the idea of the Restos du Cœur on 26 September 1985. "I have a little idea, a bit like this... If there are people who would be interested in sponsoring a free soup kitchen, we'd start first in Paris and then spread to France's big cities."
Coluche, or to give him his real name Michel Colucci, became known for his irreverent attitude towards politics and the Establishment and he incorporated this into much of his material.
The first of the Restos opened on 21 December and soon multiplied all over the country. The goal of the founders was to give away 2,000 to 3,000 meals per day; 8.5 million alone were distributed the first winter.
The initiative was supported by a song written by the songwriter and singer Jean-Jacques Goldman called 'Les Restos du Cœur', which included some of the lyrics being sung or read out by other celebrities. A televised show allowed the organization to collect several million euros.
version 2007
In 1986, Coluche died aged just 41 (he was very young) but his voice was heard and in 1987 the surplus was indeed turned over to four organisations.
Coluche pleaded for the Restos' cause at the European Parliament in February 1986 after learning that surplus products cost more to store than to distribute for free to the poor.
Upon his death, both President François Mitterand and Prime Minister Jacques Chirac, who were often the focus of Coluche's comedy, joined the public in expressing sadness for the loss of one of France's national treasures. "He was a great lover of life," said Mitterand.
France has a huge housing problem and it is charitable organizations like this that stops hundreds of homeless people dying each winter.
"Les Restos du Cœur - Relais du Cœur" is a voluntary association as defined by the French association law of 1901. Recognised as being of public interest, its goal is to help the neediest and to fight social marginalisation.
The departmental organisations manage, animate and coordinate activities on the ground with 40,000 volunteers in almost 2,500 Restos, which welcome 600,000 beneficiaries a day. Their aims are to carry out all food aid, lodging, workshop (such as the Jardins du Cœur - "Gardens of the Heart"), and cultural activities.
Voted in 1988, the loi Coluche ("Coluche law") innovated by permitting small donors (the most numerous) to benefit from the same tax breaks as big donors. Its last amendment permits donors to get a tax break of 75% for a donation of up to 470€ (euros). Above that, and within a limit of 20% of income, the tax break is of 66%. Each donor receives a tax form on whose back an accountant will have done all the necessary calculations for a tax break, and a document stating how the money given will be used by the Restos.
The Restos du Cœur have benefited financially from the help of the European Plan to Help the Neediest (Plan européen d'aide aux plus démunis; PEAD) since 1987. The organisation worries about the menace to stop the renewal of this fund.
There are many different kinds of donors:
From children to the elderly, from artisans to multinationals, from housewives to stars, they are, in their own ways, the surest supporters.
Those who generously give their services (loan of buildings, transport, printing...) or participate in authorised protests, which are strictly regulated financially and legally.
Those who give money by buying an Enfoirés CD (les Enfoirés are an annual concert given to raise money for the cause), by bequeathing their goods or money
Those who give goods (books, clothes, food, hygiene products...).
More than five years ago 90,000 people were helped, in the last campaign the number had risen to 700,000 people.
The 16 week winter aid distributes around 60,000 meals to 2,500 households. With the current economic climate the number of people turning to Restos for assistance is expected to rise further.
The unemployed, the elderly, retirees, single parents, students, the elderly and those on low wages there is no doubt the pressure on Restos will be high.
Support comes from Veronica Colucci and various artists who ask for more volunteers and donations who turn to the public at this time of year to assist this important cause.
So thank you for your action which is very important for people , for homeless people and needy people.
As economic situation is hard, a lot of people stay on the road and it is hard very hard for them to live and that concerns everyone : childrens, adults and old people ! we have to help our brothers and sisters and parents !
I do know that all over the world there are organizations like "restos du coeur" that help people to live ! so thank you so much !
Please find a link to restos du coeur site and that will allow you to discover what is "restos du coeur" and what they do !
Have a nice day my friends !
arc
1 comment:
This is a great example of what individuals, and groups, can do to help the homeless, the hungry and the less fortunate. “Restaurants of the Heart” is a wonderful project. I would like to see a similar project, on the same scale, here in California, where the poor economy has driven many to the streets. Ventura County is one of the wealthiest counties in the state of California (and in the nation). Yet, even in Ventura County the recession has hit hard, causing many to rely on food banks, and other giveaways, to feed their families. For example, this past Thanksgiving Day, close to 3,000 people ate free holiday meals at six of Ventura County’s largest charity banquets. That number is 26% higher than attended just one year ago, when the recession had already started. Organizers at five of the six Ventura County meal programs said they had more diners than at any time in memory. I encourage those of you who can, to assist your local food banks by donating food and money to help feed the less fortunate amongst us.
Programs like Restaurants of the Heart are a necessity in these difficult times.
Thank you ARC, for writing about the great work done by these wonderful people. Merci!
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