Рестораны Сердца: Французская благотворительная организация помощи нуждающимся

French nonprofit organization

The Restaurants du Cœur (literally Restaurants of the Heart but meaning Restaurants of Love), commonly known as the Restos du Cœur, is a French charity founded by comedian Coluche (1944–1986) and its main activity is to distribute food packages and hot meals to those in need. The association targets the homeless and those with of low income (single families, elderly people with a low pension, young adults, etc.). The association also helps people to find housing and supports other projects. This not for profit association has the "reconnu d'utilité publique" (recognised as being of public interest) status which exempts it from specific taxes. The association, highly respected in France, is known for its huge number of volunteers (66,000 in 2015) and its original fund raising method, particularly through its yearly Les Enfoirés concert.

Comedian and actor Coluche launched the idea of the Restos du Cœur on 26 September 1985: "I have a little idea, a bit like this If there are people who would be interested in sponsoring a free soup kitchen, we'd start first in Paris and then spread to France's big cities." The first Resto du Cœur opened on 21 December ahead of Christmas and soon multiplied all over the country. The goal of the founders was to give away 2,000 to 3,000 meals per day; 8.5 million meals were distributed in the first winter alone. In 2018, 130 million meals were served. The initiative was supported by a song written by the songwriter and singer Jean Jacques Goldman called les Restos du cœur, which included some of the lyrics being sung or read out by other celebrities. A televised show allowed the organisation to collect several million francs. Coluche pleaded for the Restos' cause at the European Parliament in February 1986 after learning that surplus products cost more to store than to distribute free to the poor; his plea was heard and in 1987 the surplus was made available to four organisations.

The Restos du Cœur consists of one national organisation and 119 departmental organisations.

The Restos du Cœur are attentive to the good use of the funds. As an organisation essentially financed by private donors, public funds and public organisations, and with its activities carried out by volunteers, its overheads are generally very low (around 8% of resources) and unnecessary expenses are eliminated. Invitations to tender ensure that best value for money is obtained. Consequently, 90% of financial resources are devoted to activities. In line with the organisation's legislation, the accounts of the organisation are inspected by auditors. Occasional discrepancies by some local groups are sanctioned and transmitted to the courts. Voted on and passed in 1988, the loi Coluche ("Coluche law") permits small donors (the largest segment of funders) to benefit from the same tax breaks as big donors. A later amendment permits donors to get a tax break of 75% for donations up to €470. Above that, and within a limit of 20% of income, the tax break is 66%. Each donor receives a tax form on which an accountant confirms all the necessary calculations for the tax break, and a document stating how the money donated will be used by the Restos. Since 1987, the Restos du Cœur have benefited financially from the European Plan to Help the Neediest (Plan européen d'aide aux plus démunis, or PEAD).

Coluche knew that the best way he could help the Restos was to present his own image and those of his friends. In one winter, he created the Enfoirés around this idea. On 26 January 1986, Coluche presented a show on national television that lasted all afternoon. An exceptional group of people gathered together: politicians of all stripes, presenters from all the TV channels and radio stations, and all kinds of artists and sports stars. Since then, every year an Enfoirés concert has been held to encourage people to donate to the Restos du Cœur. It has become a very popular event. Each year, the media explain the goals of the organisation and remind people of where they can donate or volunteer. The Enfoirés themselves support the Restos by giving up the profits from the concerts and albums of these concerts. There was also a charity song about it on TF1 (2012 appel aux dons spot), beautifully accompanied with the music of the Spanish band PLOU .

There are 16 Restos in Belgium: 12 in Wallonia, two in Flanders and two in Brussels. Coluche inaugurated the first one, at Liège, on 22 February 1986. It was immediately decided to leave it open all year long, and as elsewhere, the services provided were quickly swamped. The Belgian Federation of Restos currently offers many services (social, legal, reinsertion ), and help (administrative, financial, medical, lodging ).

One can also find Restaurant des Herzens in Germany, specifically in Erfurt and Leipzig. In Erfurt, there is a cultural programme with theatre and music, and even a Father Christmas for the children. In 2004, however, dwindling donations resulted in reduced opening hours. In Leipzig, the beneficiaries have to pay 50 euro cents per meal, otherwise the distribution of food would be impossible to finance. Nevertheless, a free minibus service operates between the central railway station and the restaurant.