On March 23, 2018, the Espace Sud Metropolitan Community inaugurated the Boutik Bô Kay.
This intermunicipal, mobile social grocery store will allow people with limited resources to purchase basic goods at a lower cost. Thanks to the savings they make, families will be able to pay off debt or fund a life goal. The solidarity grocery store is a valuable food assistance tool that provides ongoing support to beneficiaries across a range of areas: health, budgeting, education, cooking, sports, and more. The program is carried out with the support of Secours Catholique volunteer teams based in the 12 municipalities.
This project stems from two observations regarding Martinique, and particularly the Espace Sud region: first, the increasing precariousness of living conditions, and second, the need for an appropriate and coordinated response in terms of food assistance.
The grocery store will offer beneficiaries:
- a range of so-called essential goods that are 70 % cheaper than those on the market.
- tools and methods to optimize the use of their budget
- comprehensive support for other challenges encountered.
Secours Catholique plans to assist 3 groups of 16 families per service area—for a total of 240 families per year—with outreach visits distributed across the 9 municipalities that do not have a “Epicerie Sociale et Solidaires” food bank.
This project will also foster social cohesion by offering support to help individuals reintegrate into society when necessary.
An initiative that will improve the daily lives of many families in the South.
Kaylan FAGOUR
