Rising energy prices, high rents, rising receipts… These are the scourges suffered by the French today. And it’s far from over: according to a provisional estimate by INSEE, inflation should exceed 5% in May and reach 5.4% in June. It is driven in particular by food prices, expected to rise by 6.3% in June, and again by energy prices (+26% in June).
A situation that partly results from the war in Ukraine. And which hits hard the most precarious knowing that currently, 7 to 8 million people are already in a situation of food insecurity in France. Anti-poverty associations know that they will have to help more people in the coming months. And for Secours Populaire, it is already a reality. “Since mid-March, we have been in greater demand. Some people, previously on the razor’s edge (precarious or part-time workers, single-parent families), are unable to make ends meet. They have to decide between paying the rent or refueling the car,” notes Houria Tareb, national secretary of the association.
“We are seeing a worsening of poverty situations”
For his part, Patrice Douret, president of Restos du Coeur, does not yet have a numerical projection on the number of people likely to join the ranks of beneficiaries in the coming months. “But we expect more of them. Because the rest to live on is increasingly low for many poor workers in particular. And since the war in Ukraine, we have seen a worsening of situations of poverty, especially among young people, who represent 50% of our beneficiaries”.
This foreseeable increase in the number of beneficiaries worries the associations all the more as they do not know whether their various sources of financing will be sufficient. “I fear a scissor effect, that is to say an increase in our expenses accompanied by a reduction in our resources”, explains Patrice Douret. Especially since the generosity of the French towards associations is variable, depending on the economic and fiscal context. But, according to an Ipsos study published last Thursday for the Apprentis d’Auteuil* Foundation, donations made last year to charities or general interest associations decreased by 30% compared to 2020.
Some in-kind donations down
Moreover, while the proportion of French people declaring that they have made at least one donation during the year is almost stable (48% in 2021, after 49% in 2020), the average amount per donor is clearly at the decline (-31%). The trend could also continue in 2022: a quarter of French people plan to give less, or even stop giving this year. “What they justify above all by the decline in purchasing power (57%) and fear of inflation (36%)”, explains the study.
And the associations are plagued by other financial difficulties, underlines Patrice Douret: “The increase in raw materials and food products also affects us. Our purchasing costs have increased by 10% in recent weeks,” he notes. In-kind donations, which account for a significant portion of their product inventory for distribution, have also declined. “Those of dairy producers have been divided by five in one year”, observes the president of Restos du Coeur. “Donations of unsold food, close to the use-by date, have been more limited lately. Because medium and large retailers sell them more to customers who have purchasing power problems,” notes Houria Tareb.
Events to diversify income
The coming months will therefore be decisive, with donations most often taking place during the last quarter of the year. “The ceiling of the Coluche system – which allows a tax deduction of 75% of the donation tax – has been increased to 1,000 euros (against 552 euros) due to the health crisis. This measure has been extended until December 31, 2023. It must be made permanent, ”said Patrice Douret. Associations are also multiplying initiatives to encourage the French to be generous. Until May 22, the French Red Cross organizes its national days to collect donations. The same dynamism on the Secours populaire side: “We are multiplying actions: sales of lily of the valley, clearance sales, food collections in supermarkets, shows…”, describes Houria Tareb for her part. The Restos du Coeur will organize a festival on June 25, culminating in a restaurant ball, which will be hosted by renowned DJs in 18 cities in France. The place will be at 12.50 euros. Many associations also plan to boost their operations of street marketing to attract younger donors.
They also expect a lot from the new government. The extension of the tariff shield on energy prices (electricity and gas) has been decided until the end of 2022, but will it be extended? Will a new inflation allowance be paid to the most modest? Emmanuel Macron also promised that a food check to help the most modest to provide themselves with local food products would be put in place this summer.