Some 2,900 food parcels were distributed on Saturday at les Vernets ice rink – 300 more than the previous weekend. A total of 892 donors contributed to these parcels, which also included donations from the Partage Foundation. Countless contributions and a large donation from Chaîne du Bonheur enabled Caravane de Solidarité to purchase any goods that were missing. The coordination, under the auspices of the City of Geneva, improved once again to facilitate the flow of beneficiaries, some of whom arrived very early in the morning. The distribution operation began at 8 a.m. in order to reduce waiting times and get ahead of the bad weather that was moving in.
These food distribution operations were launched almost one month ago by the Caravane de Solidarité group. Quickly supported by les Colis du Cœur and Partage and coordinated by the City of Geneva, they are growing week by week to reach unexpected levels. Donations are received from both the public and private sector, major retailers and hundreds of anonymous people.
Numerous people have also joined the movement as volunteers, coordinated by la Comédie.
More than 10,000 people on 4 Saturdays
There is a definite chemistry between the highly committed associative partners, the public services who have quickly adapted to the consequences of the crisis and the volunteers involved. A well-oiled organisation ensured that the operation ran smoothly and with great dignity, despite the fact that more than 10,000 people have stood in line in les Vernets these past four Saturdays.
On 23 May, 2,900 parcels were distributed – not to mention the bags of fruit and vegetables prepared thanks to the generosity of local market gardeners – while a greatly appreciated distribution of powdered milk supervised by the HUG was also organised. The General Manager of the HUG, Bertrand Levrat, took part as a volunteer in order to see the extent of the operation for himself.
One donor made a very tangible gesture in providing Caravane de Solidarité with a sum of money intended to buy shopping carts for the beneficiaries.
Highly committed volunteers
Some 180 volunteers worked throughout Thursday and Friday to prepare the parcels while 140 were on site on Saturday for the actual distribution. Volunteers are always welcome and can register at actionsculturelles@comedie.ch. Their investment shouldn’t be taken lightly, as each bag they carry weighs between 12 and 15 kg. In total, more than 35 tonnes of goods are handled during a single distribution operation.
At the end of the day, the volunteers are exhausted but pleased, often touched by what they have seen – be it the donors on the Friday or the beneficiaries on the Saturday – but happy in the knowledge that they have contributed to a meaningful collective action. Some of the beneficiaries even work as volunteers before leaving with their own parcel.
Social workers, supported by volunteers, answer questions in more than 10 languages. The same questions are asked week after week and primarily relate to social insurance payments, medical costs and arrears of rent. To complete the social service and the health hub organised on site, the EPER, CSP, CCSI, ASLOCA and SIT were also present to answer questions.
An additional 731 people registered with les Colis du cœur
A total of 731 new families were registered in the database run by les Colis du cœur this Saturday. Next week, like the 11,300 already registered, they will receive a voucher of between 50 and 150 francs (depending on the size of the household). Since the start of the crisis, the number of people registered with les Colis du cœur has increased threefold.
Prospects
Discussions have been held this week between the Municipal Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity and its counterpart at cantonal level as well as with several major municipalities in Geneva to determine how these distribution operations will evolve in the future. The operations of 30 May and 6 June have already been scheduled in les Vernets. Subsequent steps are being defined in consultation with the public and associative partners concerned.
Esther Alder, the magistrate responsible for social cohesion and solidarity in the City of Geneva, emphasises the “resilience shown by those in need while underlining the fact that it may well be necessary to continue providing this aid until access to social benefits can be guaranteed for all these people.”
Contacts
Manuelle Pasquali
Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity
079 446 40 13
manuelle.pasquali-deweck@ville-ge.ch
On behalf of the Caravane de Solidarité group
Silvana Mastromatteos
077 418 79 28
cdsgeneve@gmail.com
On behalf of les Colis du Cœur
Pierre Philippe
078 619 0806
pierrephilippe@colisducoeur.ch
Article modifié le 26.05.2020 à 11:32