30 Aug 2024 Launch of the “First Steps Pact” operation !
In the face of rising prices and an explosion in the need for food aid, Break Poverty, Agence du Don en Nature and Dons Solidaires are pursuing their commitment to support the essential needs of over 100,000 babies, thanks to an exceptional grant from the French Ministry of Solidarity and Families.
A large-scale operation to meet the basic needs of toddlers
In 2021, Break Poverty Foundation sounded the alarm, estimating that 300,000 families in France are unable to meet their babies’ basic needs due to a lack of resources.
Since then, the situation has worsened with the general rise in prices and the explosion in the need for food aid. According to a barometer published by IFOP and Dons Solidaires in 2023, one parent in 6 says they are unable to change their baby’s diapers as much as they would like. A lack of care and inadequate nutrition can have serious and lasting consequences for a newborn’s development.
In response to these growing and urgent needs, the French Minister for Solidarity and Families, together with Break Poverty, the Agence du Don en Nature and Dons Solidaire, is launching the “First Steps Pact”.
Given the urgency of the situation and the scale of the needs of 300,000 underprivileged families, Break Poverty is proud to be coordinating this large-scale operation, so that every mother can feed and care for her child to the best of her ability.
Valérie Daher, Directrice Générale de Break Poverty Foundation.
With public funding of over 6 million euros, including 3 million exclusively for hygiene, Break Poverty, Agence du Don en Nature and Dons Solidaires will collect the equivalent of around 13 million diapers, 7 million wipes and over 200,000 care products. These products will then be redistributed to the beneficiaries of the major charity networks (Restos du Cœur, Secours Populaire, Croix Rouge, Banques Alimentaires and ANDES grocery stores) and partner associations of Agence du Don en Nature and Dons Solidaires throughout France. The additional 3 million euros will be allocated directly to the major networks for the purchase of food products such as powdered milk and baby food.
In 2021, alongside Break Poverty and the Secrétariat d'État à l'Enfance et aux Familles, the Agence du Don en Nature launched the ``Urgence Premiers Pas`` operation and redistributed 9 million infant products. Having been involved in the fight against material deprivation for 15 years, we are delighted that the French Minister for Solidarity and Families has renewed and strengthened the government's commitment with the launch of this ``First steps pact`` operation.
Romain Canler, Managing Director, Agence du Don en Nature.
Because the precariousness affecting parents has a direct impact on their children, Dons Solidaires mobilizes its chain of solidarity throughout the year to distribute essential infant hygiene products and minimize inequalities from birth onwards. With the situation becoming increasingly alarming and needs growing rapidly, the ``Pact for First Steps`` is a vital impetus to support the associative sector and help us take care of our little ones.
Dominique Besançon, Managing Director of Dons Solidaires
The need to mobilize everyone
The launch of the “First Steps Pact” operation, part of the Solidarity Pact, was announced by Minister Aurore Bergé during a visit to the Itiner’air association in Beauvais on October 17, 2023, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. A distribution of products took place on the association’s premises, followed by a discussion between the Minister and the families present.
Supporting young parents as they struggle to meet the basic needs of their infants is one of the missions we pursue through our partnerships with Agence du Don en Nature and Dons Solidaires. In an inflationary context where the budget for diapers and infant milk is exploding (around 3600€ for the first 3 years of a child's life), the ``Pacte pour les Premiers Pas`` is a necessary aid for the most disadvantaged. Diapers (along with washing powder) are the products for which we had the greatest difficulty in meeting demand.
Association Itiner'air.
To ensure the success of the operation, the mobilization of companies in the early childhood sector is essential to enable Break Poverty, l’Agence du Don en Nature and Dons Solidaires to obtain these products at low cost or free of charge. Like Procter & Gamble and L’Oréal, the commitment of manufacturers alongside the French government and associations demonstrates the desire to create a common wave of solidarity in favor of the most disadvantaged, by mobilizing all forces around this objective.
About L’Agence du Don en Nature
Since 2008, L’Agence du Don en Nature has been combating material deprivation by collecting new non-food products from companies and redistributing them to associations working with disadvantaged populations (social and solidarity grocery stores, child protection establishments, shelters, day centers, etc.). In 2022, 10 million products (hygiene, childcare, cleaning, clothing, supplies, toys, household equipment, etc.) were distributed to over 1,600 solidarity associations throughout France.
Abour Dons Solidaires
Dons Solidaires®, a pioneering non-food donation association recognized as a public utility, has been mobilizing a chain of solidarity since 2004 to share goods more responsibly. To combat precariousness in France, it collects new non-food products from companies and redistributes them to solidarity organizations to enable vulnerable people to live with dignity. This mission is part of our commitment to social and environmental responsibility. In 2022, thanks to the donations of its 200 corporate partners, Dons Solidaires® distributed over 10 million non-food products to 1,000 community organizations throughout France. These donations help more than 1.1 million people in precarious, isolated, sick or disabled situations. For further information, visit : https://www.donsolidaires.fr
About Break Poverty
Founded in 2017 by business leaders, Break Poverty Foundation aims to end poverty by acting on its causes. To achieve this, it works in three areas of action: early childhood support, school dropout prevention and access to first jobs. Through its Dotation d’Action Territoriale program, the Foundation mobilizes companies alongside local authorities and associations to develop social philanthropy in the fight against youth poverty. https://breakpoverty.com
Photo credits : Ministère des Solidarités et des Familles