Distribution of food parcels based at the Palladium

After les Vernets ice rink and the Hugo-de-Senger and Trembley schools, the distribution of food parcels to people living in severe hardship is continuing within the municipal territory. From 7 October 2020, this distribution operation, which is now coordinated by les Colis du Cœur, will take place at the Palladium on Wednesdays from midday to 7 p.m. and on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The City of Geneva will continue to support the operation by making the Palladium available and by organising a social information point on site.

The socio-economic consequences of the covid-19 crisis have had a lasting detrimental impact on the situation of thousands of vulnerable people who are no longer able to meet their most basic needs, in particular with regard to food.

Distributions, phase 1 and 2

In response to this major social emergency, the City of Geneva initially coordinated the food distribution operations at les Vernets ice rink from 4 May to 6 June 2020. Some 16,129 parcels containing food and hygiene products were distributed during this period.

To reduce the waiting times for beneficiaries and to ensure more localised action, these distribution operations were then decentralised to two sites, from 15 June to 30 September, in the city of Geneva, namely the Hugo-de-Senger and Trembley schools. During this second phase, a further 37,300 food parcels were distributed together with 10,350 articles for babies and 6,000 female hygiene articles.

At the same time, the municipalities of Carouge, Grand-Saconnex, Lancy, Meyrin, Thônex, Vernier and Versoix also took over responsibility for the distribution operations previously organised in les Vernets.

Phase 3 at the Palladium

From 7 October 2020, the distribution of food and hygiene products collected by the Fondation Partage has been brought together under one roof for people living in the City of Geneva, and is now organised at the Palladium, made available by the City. Intended for beneficiaries who previously picked up their parcels from the Hugo-de-Senger and Trembley schools, these distribution operations – now managed by les Colis du cœur – take place twice a week on Wednesdays from midday to 7 p.m. and on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Twice a month, a social bureau provides people newly registered with les Colis du Cœur with social information and guidance: it is staffed by social workers from the Hospice Général, associations active in the field of migration and the social services of municipalities where residents benefit from the actions of les Colis du Coeur. A mobile information point organised by the Service social is also present on site.

Beneficiaries living outside the City of Geneva can visit the offices of les Colis du Cœur in Carouge (Blavignac) every Tuesday.