Facts and Figures.
In Pézenas and the 37 surrounding villages served by the Pézenas facility, there has been an overall decline of around 10% in enrolments this year. So today, they have close on 400 families and about 750 people on their books. Included in this number are 23 babies less than a year old, who also appear on the list at the Restos Bébés.
One possible reason for the drop in numbers could be people from the North of France, who had moved into the Pézenas area thinking work would be easier to come by, have since returned back North, having failed to find work.
There are fewer large families this year, but many more single people. Pézenas are now looking after single older people, single parents or youngsters on their own who have family problems. The plight of the younger people is perhaps more worrying, in that some of these young people are sleeping by the river or in the cemetery, where they feel safer due to the lights and security cameras, which deter attackers.
The Restos had a « Collecte » as usual, but because the Secours Populaire had had one just before theirs, they did not collect as much as expected. As a result, the Restos will be having another one a little later in the year. So if you see anyone collecting at your local supermarket on behalf of the Restos, please do what you can to aid their stocks.
The HQ in Montpellier continues to send deliveries of fresh vegetables and fruit to supplement the tins and packs, as they like to encourage the recipients to have a healthy, balanced diet.
As always, the Pézenas team, led by Claude, are grateful for our contributions. Since there are now so many single people on the list, small packets of pasta are most useful, or anything in small quantities. They continue to appreciate our quick response to temporary shortages they have from time to time.
For more information on the work undertaken by the Restos du Coeur, please visit their website http://www.restosducoeur.org
Barbara
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