A smell of coffee escapes through the front door. This Tuesday morning, there is a visit to L’claircie, a solidarity grocery store located in Arcueil (Val-de-Marne), run only by volunteers. Because if families in difficulty go there to get food and hygiene products, they also come to share moments of conviviality. Like Abbas, in his early forties, who shows a big smile despite the difficulties he is going through.
Worker in the building, he led his boat well. Until the moment when he was the victim of moral harassment and ended up breaking down. On sick leave since 2021, he has seen his income melt like snow in the sun: “I receive 700 euros in compensation, I have a rent of 130 euros per month, and I have a wife and two children. I have financial difficulties, but I don’t have any debts,” he confides. Finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet with inflation, Abbas asked the town hall for help. “I was ashamed, but no choice,” he says. A social worker assists him in compiling a file in order to become a beneficiary of the solidarity grocery store. An allocation committee gives the green light for access for a period of six months.
Each beneficiary pays only 10% of the value of the products
Like him, a quarter of French people are currently having difficulty feeding their families, according to a study* by Kellogg which appears this Wednesday and which highlights the worsening of food insecurity. Nearly one in five children do not eat in the morning. Moreover, 85% of teachers observe that students come to school hungry at least once a week. This has repercussions on their ability to concentrate, according to 8 teachers out of 10. A precariousness witnessed by Catherine Gouzou, president of L’claircie: “We welcome 45 families, 75% of which are single parents. They struggle to feed themselves and often have debts. To benefit from the solidarity grocery store, they must commit to a specific project with a social worker: resume payment of their rent, file an over-indebtedness file, seek aid from the CAF, etc.
Access to groceries is given for a period of two to six months. If necessary, this pass is renewed for six additional months, without being able to exceed one year. The monthly purchasing budget is defined according to the composition of the household. Example: a single person has a budget of 130 euros. In the end, each beneficiary only pays 10% of the value of the products. And the grocery store looks like an Ali Baba’s cave with all the essential products, sorted by category. Below each item is displayed its price in “real life” and the price offered to beneficiaries. A can of sardines will cost 13 cents instead of 1.30 euros, and a can of ravioli 19 cents instead of 1.90 euros.
“It makes me feel secure”
Abbas, he has 33 euros a month. Which is enough for him to do the essentials. In ten minutes, he fills his trolley with flour, eggs, cheese, fruit and vegetables… Then goes to the checkout with his big load: “My wife is always happy, we don’t miss anything. It’s like the supermarket, but much cheaper,” he comments. For a pack of diapers for his baby, he only has to pay 80 cents. Thanks to this help, he has the feeling of getting his head above water. “I feel like I’m buying the same things as when I got all the pay. It makes me feel safe,” he says.
Like the other beneficiaries, he comes once a week to refuel. But he also sometimes goes to take part in the “it’s played in the attic” workshop with his son, so that the little one can have fun with his friends. The coffee breaks with the other beneficiaries also warm her heart. “There is a good atmosphere, I am comfortable with them. We talk about everything, the high cost of living, politics. And we joke too. It allows you to forget the problems a little, ”he says. Other workshops are also on the program, such as those dedicated to breakfast, led by a dietician and offered in partnership with Kellogg**. The objective: to remind parents of the importance of a balanced breakfast. Sewing, cooking workshops or to know how to make your own detergent also allow you to create links.
Races and hope on the shoulder
With all these initiatives and the help they receive, the beneficiaries of the solidarity grocery store are gradually regaining confidence in themselves and in life. “Here, we never pass judgment,” insists Catherine Gouzou.
Abbas, he leaves here with his shopping, but also with hope slung over his shoulder: “Maybe in 6 months, I will have a job. I’ll come back just to say hello, ”he breathes, turning on his heels.