Seriously affected by the lockdowns, the community is fighting on all fronts.
Founded in 1976, the community of Emmaus Montpellier Saint-Aunès had already suffered a significant deficit in the spring, because of the two months of confinement. The companions do not receive any subsidy and can only count on their work.
A call for donations, the first launched since 1954, allowed Emmaus to reopen its doors on May 19. After working twice as hard for five months, the companions were again forced into confinement, and still are today.
As in the spring, no case of Covid has been recorded among the 80 adults and eight children of the community, as well as among the employees working on the site.
During this second confinement, the companions tidied up and sorted the many donations made during the previous months. “We did vouchers and click & collect, underlines the president, Martine Marragou. Video clips plagiarizing teleshopping have been seen up to 6,000 times on Facebook. But nothing beats direct contact with the public who directly participate in the integration of companions. “
Employees agreed to donate days, food was reduced
The reopening, on November 28, was therefore expected as a release. “We open every Sunday in December, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., but some companions were even ready to open also on Mondays. Their enthusiasm is extraordinary.”
“After the first confinement, there was a rebound in activity and an influx of donations. But in November, everything stopped. Financially, it was still difficult because we did not have recourse to partial unemployment . We tried to save money on all fronts. Employees agreed to donate days, food was reduced. “
Today there is a craze for reuse and recycling
As the value of donations fell, Emmaus was unable to regain financial balance. “We had to take out a loan guaranteed by the state, which gives us a view over several months. But we are at the mercy of imponderables, such as the breakdown of a forklift that we have to replace.”
On the sales side, “Toys, bookstores and textiles are doing well. Today there is a craze for reuse and recycling, which have been our values since 1949 at Emmaus. Many structures sell them and compete with us. The image of Emmaus and Abbé Pierre is closely linked to recovery, transformation and integration. ” For Emmaus, the fight continues, against all odds!
Knowledge exchange between generations
Of Spanish origin and a great lover of literature, Francisco Delgado has been running bookshops in Emmaus for seven years, and that in Montpellier for two years.
“Here, we have 67 different departments. We decide the prices, we advise customers. Since confinement, travel books are selling well, as are cooking books and novels. We have also halved the prices of the department. for children. ”
Francisco is assisted by Vlad, who is originally from Armenia and speaks almost perfect French. “I have been in France for three and a half years. It was through a friend that I arrived at Emmaüs. Reading helps me learn French. I started with children’s books, and today , I read Balzac. I learn a lot with Francisco. I hope to open my own bookstore one day. ”
Martine Marragou underlines: “A kind of tutoring is being set up between the elders, who transmit their knowledge, and the young people who share their digital knowledge.” And it is Emmaus who wins!
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