Restaurants du Cœur

This not-for-profit association has the "reconnu d'utilité publique" (recognised as being of public interest) status which exempts it from specific taxes.

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 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.

It is a founding member of the Committee of the Charter of Deontology of Social and Humanitarian Organisations, a group of associations committed to financial transparency.

Although they are legally autonomous, they operate using the same principles as the national organisation (general assemblies, governing bodies, boards), and are bound to them by a contractual agreement.

Their aims are to provide food aid, lodging, workshops (such as the Jardins du Cœur - "Gardens of the Heart") and cultural activities.

Under the heading of "reinsertion into society" are several different kinds of activities: Though the soup kitchens remain the most visible face of the Restos, they alone cannot ease the exclusion of those benefiting from their existence.

Their actions are based on the Volunteers' Charter, whose six guiding points guarantee the good working order of the organisation.

Classes about the following subjects are held: Coluche knew that the best way he could help the Restos was to present his own image and those of his friends.

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.

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 [1].

The Belgian Federation of Restos currently offers many services (social, legal, reinsertion...), and help (administrative, financial, medical, lodging...).