COVID-19: Fondation PSA supports AGORAé, a solidarity grocery stores dedicated to students who are vulnerable to the health crisis

• Funding of 8 new vehicles for the collection and distribution of food and essential products
• 20 AGORAé out of 24 in France now have a vehicle financed by Fondation PSA
• More than 13,000 students will benefit from packed lunches

"Youth are extremely affected by the economic crisis of Covid-19. Student jobs are scarce and they usually finance education, housing, and food. In order to combat the risk of drop out of university courses, isolation and marginalization, Fondation PSA, with its exceptional gift from Groupe PSA top management, decided in April 2020 to strengthen its support to FAGE grocery stores , which started in 2013,".said Karine Hillaireau, General Delegate of Fondation PSA.

"Student associations, representing young people and their well-being, have been deploying solidarity grocery stores since 2011 to meet the needs of the most precarious. The support of partners promoting the implementation of solidarity actions is essential. The delivery of food and access to remote areas are essential elements in order to effectively combat the precariousness of young people, which is constantly growing because of the health crisis we are experiencing," said Paul Mayaux, President of the Federation of General Student Associations – FAGE.

Since 2011, FAGE has created 24 AGORAé, solidarity grocery stores spread throughout France, to help students who, for more than 20%, live below the poverty line. Fondation PSA, with funding of 20 vehicles, increased the number of beneficiaries supported. Without mobility, there is no access to essential products and services, including access to food. The AGORAé of FAGE, these grocery stores, accessible to students in precarious situations under conditions of resources, are located on the study site. Volunteers accompanied by volunteers on civic service managed these grocery stores. With these new vehicles, the AGORAé of Aix-en-Provence, Créteil, Lyon, Marseille, Metz, Paris, Strasbourg and Clermont-Ferrand will be able to distribute packed lunches during confinement and collect more than 50,000 kg of food per year for nearly 13,000 students who need them.

Media Contacts:

- Laurence Bussac +33 6 32 24 04 86 - fondation@mpsa.com - psa-presse@mpsa.com

- Catherine Kafarski – +33 6 01 02 27 95 – c.kafarski@habitat-humanisme.org