The Food Bank is starting its national collection on November 26, 27 and 28 in several supermarkets in the region. Aurélie Racine, the president admits: “We must not miss this moment because the situation is very worrying for many audiences”.
For a year, in fact, the Food Bank has fed 20,000 beneficiaries / week, supported by the one hundred partner associations from the three departments (Haute-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne and Ariège). “80% of the needs are also concentrated on Haute-Garonne, estimates the president. This figure, which unfortunately has been constant for a year, gives it to our activity. The precariousness has not diminished. On the contrary, since we note an increase of 60% compared to March 2019 ”.
Who are these beneficiaries?
“According to our partner associations, there are 52% men and 48% women,” explains Aurélie Racine. Half of these audiences are under 25 years old. There are fragile, single-parent families and many students who, since the covid, have become accustomed to learning about food aid schemes. Unlike before. This is a positive aspect. Finally, there is also an increase of 7% of seniors over 64 with very small pensions. A public that is still struggling to come and seek help. A question of generation ”.

This collection constitutes the stocks of products. It is also a strong moment of solidarity.

This three-day event has a double dimension: it is a way for the Food Bank to build up stocks of different products for the year. It is also an opportunity to experience a strong moment of solidarity in which all generations are mobilized. “It really is a moment of mutual aid and support for the common good. Coming to help others is also helping yourself ”.
Concretely, this collection takes place in participating supermarkets (this year, all responded positively). Teams of volunteers take care of non-perishable food purchased by solidarity customers: coffee, sugar, starchy foods, condiments and also hygiene products, etc. Some are still missing in Hall 7 of the former Exhibition Center on Île du Ramier. Let us not forget that 300 tons of goods must be sorted, must provide products on families, this weekend. Before being redistributed to partner associations according to their needs (Red Cross, Secours Populaire, CCAS, marauding, neighborhood associations, etc.), ”says Aurélie Racine, who reminds us that donations are also welcome on the online collection. monpaniersolidaire.org.