Les Restos du Cœur

Exposé anglais

In two thousand twenty three, Les Restos du Cœur, a French humanitarian association, faced serious financial difficulties due to inflation and the growing number of beneficiaries. In this context, the organization called on the French people to show solidarity and make donations. Indeed, if this association were forced to close, it would be a social disaster, since it currently helps around one million three hundred thousand people every year. Les Restos du Cœur have therefore become indispensable to many families in France. That is why, I would like to look back at their unique story and show how important this association has been for our country — not only in the past, but especially today.

On September twenty sixth nineteen eighty five, Coluche, a French humourist, made a radio appeal to create a free canteen for those in need. His call was met with an incredible response : around five thousand volunteers took part and distributed over eight million meals during the following winter. This idea came from a shocking reality : at that time, tons of surplus food were being destroyed, while people in Europe were starving and more than two million French citizens were unemployed. The association was therefore born in a context of deep economic and social crisis.

Coluche used his popularity to promote Les Restos du Cœur. He hosted a charity TV show to finance the first meal campaign and mobilized many French celebrities such as Jean-Jacques Goldman and Véronique Sanson. They formed a group called “Les Enfoirés” and created a song to raise awareness and encourage solidarity among the French public. Since nineteen eighty nine, artists have held an annual concert to raise funds and inspire people to get involved. This event, which receives extensive media coverage, has become a true cultural phenomenon in France.

Coluche died one year after the creation of Les Restos du Cœur, in nineteen eighty six, but his fight continues. Thanks to his initiative, the European Union opened its food surpluses to associations providing aid to the most disadvantaged (with the creation of PEAD). Moreover, a French law was passed to allow people who donate to charitable organizations to receive tax deductions. The organization grew very quickly, supported by volunteers, the government, and many celebrities. It was officially recognized as a public utility association in 1992, confirming its essential role in French society.

The original goal of this organization was to provide food aid to the most deprived. However, as social emergencies multiplied and the profiles of those welcomed by the association became more diverse, the scope of its action quickly expanded. The Restos began to fight against all forms of insecurity — not only hunger, but also unemployment, housing difficulties, energy poverty, social exclusion... Over time, Les Restos du Cœur have therefore gone far beyond their initial mission of food distribution to become involved in broader fields such as social integration, culture, and employment. Some centers now offer hairdressing workshops, community gardens, and outreach programs, all designed to promote dignity and autonomy.

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