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Carrefour Foundation – 2014 annual report –
“TODAY, FOOD
EXCLUSION
ALSO CONCERNS
TODDLERS.”
In what situations
does
Restos Bébés du
Cœur
get involved?
Restos Bébés du Cœur
was set up in 1993 after
we noticed an increasing
number of families and
young people turning up
at the
Restos du Cœur
canteens. According to
a UNICEF report, the
incidence of child poverty
in France increased by
3 points between 2008
and 2012, going from
15.6% to 18.6% of the
population.
Nearly one out of
every five children is
affected by poverty
and suffers serious
dietary deficiencies.
Today more than ever,
our action is essential.
Over 40,000 babies
and their parents visit
our 86
Restos Bébés
du Cœur
and
1,500 baby centres
in cities every year.
How do you operate?
The
Bébés du Cœur
centres are open all
year round for single
mothers, unemployed
young couples and those
in major difficulty. We
try to make our facilities
welcoming, with a coffee
corner, a play space and
a childcare area. We
provide facilities and
food specially suitable for
babies under 18 months
old – such as baby milk,
diapers, jars of baby food,
and so on.
COMBATTING
EXCLUSION
Social exclusion, which
means living in great poverty
and often in extreme
isolation, is becoming
increasingly common.
There are many different
causes, including financial
crises, job insecurity,
fluctuations in food prices,
natural disasters, etc. Food
aid therefore has to adapt
to these new circumstances.
It’s not just a matter of
one-off emergency
interventions, but it also
involves long-term actions
aimed at preventing and
reducing the exclusion of
those who are most at risk.
1/3
OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD
LIVE IN POVERTY.
Source:UnitedNationsDevelopment
Programme(UNDP)multidimensional
poverty index,2014.
RESTOSBÉBÉS
DUCŒUR
In 2014, the
Carrefour Foundation
made a contribution
of €140,000 to the
association, towhich
a further €23,000
were added in the form
of donations from
clients inCarrefour
stores in light of the
approachingwinter
andChristmas
festivities.
“By regainingher
self-confidence,
amother can
gradually get out
of her isolationand,
in turn, encourage
others todo the
same.”
So you do more than
distribute food?
More than anything, we
are a place where people
can share their problems
and learn to prevent
difficulties from arising
in the first place. Our
experienced volunteers
offer personal assistance
with both moral and
psychological support,
using workshops to help
beneficiaries regain their
self-confidence, steering
them towards other
organisations, arranging
consultations with
professionals, etc. Every
centre also develops
educational and play
activities, and a special
link is often formed with
the families.
3 questions
for Geneviève Willot
Managerofa localbranch
of
RestosBébésduCœur
FRANCE