On Monday 25 January 2016, the Minister for Famil and Integration, Corinne Cahen, and the mayor of Remich, Henri Kox, joined the Luxembourg Red Cross in inaugurating its 8th social grocery store in Remich.

Since the first 'Croix-Rouge Buttek' social grocery store was opened in Differdange in December 2009, seven more shops have opened their doors throughout the country. The most recent addition is located at 6, rue Foascht and since 4 January 2016 has been catering to the communities of Bous, Lenningen, Remisch, Schengen, Stadtbredimus, Waldbredimus, Dalheim and Mondorf-les-Bains.

Managed by Fernanda Chagas and a team of twenty volunteers, 'Kanton Réimech' enables individuals in a financially precarious situation to stock up on necessities at a lower cost.

"I am pleased that the concept of a social grocery store is becoming more and more integrated into the social fabric of municipalities in the Grand Duchy," commented Corinne Cahen, Minister of Family and Integration and the Greater Region. "Poverty is unfortunately a reality of our society. The development of this network since the opening of the first 'Buttek' reflects the real demand for this initiative. Thanks to the 'Buttek' networks, food and material assistance is provided to disadvantaged families but marginalised people similarly find it an important means of social integration."

"With this new store located in the southeast of the country, the network of Caritas and Red Cross social stores covers the entire geographical area of the Grand Duchy," explained Marc Crochet, Deputy General Manager of the Red Cross. "Our goal has always been to make this assistance available to the greatest number of people living in poverty. I want to thank the Office social commun de Remich and the Office Social commun de Mondorf-les-Bains/Dalheim for their great support of this project."

Mayor of Remich, Henri Kox, spoke of the importance of good collaboration between the various municipalities in the Remich region: "I would like to point out the essential solidarity between the municipalities in the interest of underprivileged families on the margins of our society. I would like to thank all those who helped realise this social project quickly, particularly the two social offices of Mondorf and Remich, the officials of the Red Cross and the Spëndchen and especially the volunteers who invest themselves for a good cause."

Jean Vanolst, Chairman of the Board of the Office social commun of Remich, emphasised that the "Remich social grocery store is an important tool in the social work of social workers in Mondorf and Remich. This link will strengthen the chain of social assistance for all families in need in order to help them to acquire or maintain their independence with dignity."

Nearly three weeks after the shop was first opened, the number of families who have so far been received is 51, with 45 children under the age of 15 years old. 147 people have benefitted in total, and 88 cash transactions registered.

For more information on the 'Croix-Rouge Buttek' and the movement itself, visit www.croix-rouge.lu or www.buttek.lu. To make a financial contribution in support of these social grocery stores, make a donation by virement to CCPL LU52 1111 0000 1111 0000 or by bank card at www.croix-rouge.lu, with the message 'épiceries sociales'.

 

Photo by Luxembourg Red Cross / Caritas (Corinne Cahen)