Hot meals in the Plainpalais community hall

The people who usually come to the Club social rive gauche (CSRG) can now take their meals indoors in the Plainpalais community hall. Close to 120 breakfasts are served Monday to Friday from 8 a.m., while between 200 and 230 lunches are served at two sittings at 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. With winter approaching, this represents a significant improvement for particularly vulnerable people. This delocalised service is part of the action plan of the Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity.

The second wave of Covid-19 has seriously exacerbated the situation of people in need who, day in day out, find it difficult to feed themselves correctly. Before the health crisis, the Club social rive gauche (CSRG) provided 140 breakfasts and 240 lunches at three sittings every day for people in need. With the crisis, these distribution operations were reorganised, with take-away meals provided. This did not prove to be successful, leading to a stressful situation for both the beneficiaries and the staff of the Social Service.

Hot meals in the morning and at lunch

The Administrative Council has decided to make the Plainpalais community hall available from 23 November, with a view to serving free hot meals to people in need. In addition to having suitable equipment, this central location is large enough to ensure a secure flow of people and to provide shelter for those who sometimes have to wait a long time outdoors.

From 23 November, beneficiaries will therefore be able to eat their meals sitting at tables in the warmth of the Plainpalais community hall. Close to 120 breakfasts will be served Monday to Friday from 8 a.m., while between 200 and 230 lunches will be served at two sittings at 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. (except Saturdays, 11 a.m. only).

This distribution of free meals is part of the action plan of the Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity, which aims to accompany those people most in need in light of the second wave of Covid-19

Firm commitments

Administrative Councillor Christina Kitsos highlights the impressive versatility of the 10 members of the Social Service staff tasked with providing this service. They delocalised the social club while implementing a significant improvement to the service which has adapted to the health constraints by taking up residence in the Plainpalais community hall.

“I am delighted that 15 places will be made available from 1 December at the CAPAS, financed by the City of Geneva. I am also committed to ensuring that the support requested by the Canton for the provision of an additional 155 places in emergency shelters will be approved by the Grand Council.”