Restaurants du Cœur facts for kids
The Restaurants du Cœur (which means Restaurants of the Heart or Restaurants of Love), often called the Restos du Cœur, is a French charity. Its main job is to give out food packages and hot meals to people who need them. This includes people who are homeless, or those with very low incomes like single parents, older people with small pensions, and young adults.
The Restos du Cœur also helps people find places to live and supports other helpful projects. This charity is "recognized as being for the public good," which means it doesn't have to pay certain taxes. It's very respected in France, known for its many volunteers (66,000 in 2015) and its special ways of raising money.
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How the Restos du Cœur Started
The famous comedian and actor Coluche first thought of the Restos du Cœur on September 26, 1985. He said, "I have a small idea... If people are interested in helping a free soup kitchen, we could start in Paris and then spread to France's big cities."
The very first Resto du Cœur opened on December 21, 1985. Soon, many more opened across the country. The founders wanted to give out 2,000 to 3,000 meals every day. In the first winter alone, they gave out 8.5 million meals! By 2018, this number grew to 130 million meals served.
Music and Support
A famous songwriter and singer named Jean-Jacques Goldman wrote a song called Les Restos du Cœur to support the charity. Many other celebrities sang or read parts of the lyrics. A TV show helped the organization collect millions of francs (the money used in France back then).
In February 1986, Coluche spoke to the European Parliament. He had learned that it cost more to store extra food products than to give them away for free to people in need. His message was heard, and in 1987, these extra products were made available to four charities, including the Restos du Cœur.
How the Restos du Cœur Works
Structure and Organization
The Restos du Cœur has one main national organization and 119 local organizations across France.
The National Organization
"Les Restos du Cœur - Relais du Cœur" was started by Coluche in 1985. It's a voluntary association that helps the most needy and fights against people being left out of society.
This national group is a founding member of a committee that makes sure charities are open and honest about their money. It also owns the name and logo of the Restos du Cœur.
Every year, the members choose a governing body, which then picks a president and a board. This board makes sure the Restos' plans are followed. The national organization's goals are:
- To buy food in large amounts and send it to the local groups.
- To help local groups get people back into society and support them.
- To train volunteers.
- To make sure all Restos groups send the same message.
- To check the money records of local groups and make sure they follow the rules.
- To keep all the Restos groups communicating with each other.
The Local Branches
There are 113 local organizations in 96 different areas of France. Even though they are separate by law, they work using the same ideas as the national group. They have a special agreement with the national organization.
These local groups manage and organize activities on the ground. They have 40,000 volunteers in almost 2,500 Restos locations. Together, they welcome 600,000 people in need every day. Their goals are to give food, help with housing, run workshops (like the Jardins du Cœur or "Gardens of the Heart"), and offer cultural activities.
All these programs help people become active members of society again. These activities include:
- Workshops and gardens.
- Trucks that drive around big cities at night to help people.
- Finding long-term housing solutions.
- Cultural activities and picnics.
Even though the soup kitchens are the most visible part of the Restos, they alone cannot solve all the problems of people who are left out. So, helping people get back into society is a top priority.
A survey in 1998 and 1999, called "Les Restos demain" ("The Restos Tomorrow"), asked over 13,000 people who received help and volunteers for their opinions. This survey showed how important it was to keep changing and growing, and to work even more closely with those they help.
Being Clear with Money
The Restos du Cœur is very careful about how it uses money. Most of its money comes from private donations, public funds, and public organizations. Since its work is done by volunteers, its running costs are very low (around 8% of its total money). They make sure to avoid unnecessary spending. They ask different companies for prices to get the best value for their money. This means that 90% of the money goes directly to helping people.
The organization's money records are checked by special auditors. If any local groups make mistakes with money, they are held responsible and reported to the courts.
In 1988, a law called the Coluche law was passed. This law allows small donors (who give most of the money) to get the same tax benefits as big donors. Later, a change to the law allowed donors to get a 75% tax break for donations up to €470. For amounts above that, and up to 20% of their income, they can get a 66% tax break. Each person who donates receives a tax form that shows how the money will be used by the Restos.
Since 1987, the Restos du Cœur has also received money from the European Plan to Help the Neediest (PEAD).
The People Who Help
Donors
Many different kinds of people and groups donate to the Restos du Cœur:
- People of all ages, from children to older adults, and from small business owners to large companies, are the most steady supporters.
- Some people generously offer their services, like lending buildings, providing transport, or doing printing for free.
- Others give money by buying an Enfoirés CD (Les Enfoirés is the name of an annual concert that raises money for the cause). People can also leave their goods or money to the Restos in their will, or give up their rights to money from their creative works.
- Some donate goods like books, clothes, food, or hygiene products.
However, certain ways of raising money are not allowed:
- Fundraising events or garage sales.
- Business deals without the Restos du Cœur's permission.
- Sending mail asking for money, unless it comes directly from the organization itself.
Volunteers
When the first Restos du Cœur campaign started in 1985, 5,000 volunteers joined. Today, there are more than 63,000 volunteers from all walks of life. They all share one thing: generosity, without any political or religious reasons. Their actions follow the Volunteers' Charter, which has six main points to ensure the organization works well.
To do their job well, each volunteer gets training. This helps them learn the skills needed for their tasks. Two professional trainers and some experienced volunteers lead workshops where volunteers from all over France gather. They learn about subjects like:
- How to manage a Resto location.
- How to welcome people who are hesitant to ask for help.
- How to support people who need emotional help.
- How to assist those who have trouble paying rent for homes they've found.
- How to teach at a workshop or in a garden.
Artists
Coluche knew that he and his famous friends could help the Restos a lot by using their public image. In just one winter, he created the group called Enfoirés based on this idea.
On January 26, 1986, Coluche hosted a TV show that lasted all afternoon. A special group of people came together: politicians from all parties, TV and radio hosts, and all kinds of artists and sports stars.
Since then, an Enfoirés concert has been held every year to encourage people to donate to the Restos du Cœur. It has become a very popular event. Each year, the news and media explain the goals of the organization and remind people where they can donate or volunteer. The Enfoirés themselves support the Restos by giving all the money they earn from their concerts and albums to the charity.
There was also a charity song about it on TF1 (2012 appel aux dons spot), with music by the Spanish band PLOU [1].
Restos du Cœur Around the World
Belgium: 1986
There are 16 Restos locations in Belgium: 12 in Wallonia, 2 in Flanders, and 2 in Brussels. Coluche opened the first one in Liège on February 22, 1986. It was decided right away to keep it open all year. Like in France, the services quickly became very busy.
The Belgian Federation of Restos now offers many services, including social help, legal advice, and help getting back into society. They also provide administrative, financial, medical, and housing support.
Germany: 1997
You can also find Restaurant des Herzens (Restaurants of the Heart) in Germany, specifically in Erfurt and Leipzig.
In Erfurt, they have cultural programs with theater and music, and even a Father Christmas for the children. However, in 2004, fewer donations meant they had to reduce their opening hours.
In Leipzig, people who receive meals have to pay 50 euro cents per meal. If they didn't, it would be impossible to pay for the food distribution. Still, a free minibus service runs between the main train station and the restaurant.
See also
In Spanish: Restos du Coeur para niños
