SECOURS POPULAIRE FRANCAIS CALL TO AVOID A FOOD CRISIS OVERLAPPING THE COVID-19

USPA NEWS - The action of the volunteers of the Secours populaire on the front line for three weeks avoids a food crisis being superimposed on the health crisis The Secours populaire français and "SPF Doctors" have been mobilized since the beginning of the epidemic (which has become the COVID-19 pandemic) to help the victims of poverty and exclusion. Activities carried out by free and voluntary volunteers such as food aid, games for children or hygiene products, preventive actions and social ties with people most in difficulty are maintained throughout France. Families are helped individually in the association's premises or by teams going to isolated individuals or families (solidaribus in rural areas or for students in university residences, marauding after homeless people, distributions in hotels, accommodation centers, etc.).

For example: in Saint-Etienne, 1,224 people were received by appointment for food aid and hygiene products; in Paris, more than 3,650 people not followed by the association were able to benefit from packed lunches; in the Alpes-Maritimes 10,000 meals distributed in two weeks; in Essonne 1,500 people staying at the hotel are supported on the food side. Eating and having access to hygiene products are essential supports to fight the epidemic. Added to this is socialization, a precious asset for building long-term immunity in which the children of "buddy of the World" also take part. Secours populaire volunteers maintain telephone links with the most vulnerable, support families and their children on the educational plan, continue preparations for plans to go on vacation, decorate food parcels with coloring pages for children, board games or books where possible. At the same time, the SPF (SECOURS POPULAIRE FRANCAIS) is facing an influx of new demands due to the closure of local associations, the minimum service for social aid from local authorities and growing anxiety. For three weeks now, Secours populaire's choice to maintain its activity has prevented a food crisis and social breakdown from being grafted on to the health crisis.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The association recalls that it operates on its own financial resources, punctual material donations and on its stocks, in particular those coming from the European Fund for Aid to the Most Deprived currently threatened by a drastic decline. To ensure the sustainability of their activities in 1,300 locations, the federations and committees of the Secours populaire appeal for donations. Many private supporters are mobilizing but the SPF recalls that the action carried out for three weeks by free and voluntary citizen volunteers needs support to the tune of 10 million euros. Secours populaire also acts to help the poorest countries protect themselves from COVID-19 because this virus knows no borders. The association is in permanent contact with its partners in overseas France and in 80 countries around the world and will send the first financial support received from donors. Secours populaire calls for financial donations: www.secourspopulaire.fr