If they can drastically cut the food budget, some disadvantaged families can redirect their expenditures (housing, debt repayment, repair of tools necessary for professional activity, etc.). For others, it means a new life, starting with the rediscovery of complete and balanced meals. In both cases, it represents a major change in daily living.
And this is precisely the goal of the Centre Social Rural du Thelle-Bray, in the Oise district, in opening an outreach grocery at Sérifontaine. This self-service facility won't be just a store. It will offer the beneficiaries a genuine contract, for a fixed term but personalized and renewable according to the situation of the household. This mutual commitment will include participation in at least one of the various workshops proposed (cooking, home economics, parent-child relations, etc.).
The approach could concern 6000 persons in the Western Oise, selected on transparent criteria in terms of resources but taking account of urgent cases.
It privileges forging a partnership with the beneficiaries. It also lays the ground for social bonds and self esteem. Because the applicant families will not only receive food aid but also counseling and lasting social supervision.
