A heart secured by the sisters, the numerous volunteers, the people who frequent it, those who support it… It is a reality that is not limited to distributing food – as the name would suggest – which can be translated as a soup kitchen or community kitchen – it is much more than that.
Sister Maria Rita and Maryse, a volunteer tell us about it.
“The Fourneau économique was founded in Nice in 1871 by a philanthropist whose aim was to call on charitable ladies to distribute meals to poor workers in the port, in a spirit of Christian charity.
In 1901, the nuns of the Sainte Enfance de Digne and Catholics followed the example of Saint Vincent de Paul, and the Fourneau became an association providing hot meals to migrants, homeless people and all those living in precarious conditions and suffering from hunger.
Throughout its history, the Fourneau économique has adapted and modernised, successfully weathering the various crises that French society has experienced. It remained open and continued to serve meals during the 1914-1918 war, the economic crisis of the 1930s, the Second World War, the events of May 1968 and, more recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Always open!
In 1993, following the merger of the religious community with the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Jeanne Antide, already present in Nice at the Regina Coeli School and involved in several social services run by the City Council, took over the mission at the Fourneau économique.
Sister Four sisters work there, taking turns on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays each week.
Rose-Marie K. is in charge, working with chairman Philippe M. and an activities management team, in conjunction with our head chef, Franck R.
This presence is enriched by Sr. Maria-Rita S, Sr. Chung N. and Sr. Rifat A., as well as some sixty volunteers who come to ensure that the needs of this service are met.
Every day, they are entrusted with different tasks: peeling vegetables, preparing cooked food, setting the tables, distributing bread and serving meals. And on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, they offer coffee or a hot drink, as well as a clean space for reading, a table for playing cards, calm, socialising and sharing to the people we welcome.
Indeed, for each and every one of them, we try not to be mere meal distributors, but companions on their journey, whom we ask to contribute one euro per meal or a ticket that they must obtain from other associations linked to the Fourneau Economique, because we believe that no one is so poor that they cannot give anything.
Mostly from modest backgrounds, they are a few women and mostly young men, homeless, unemployed, undocumented migrants, most of whom are from Africa (North or sub-Saharan) and Eastern European countries (Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, etc.) or low-income retirees, who together consume more than 20,000 meals a year (about 120 lunches a day).
At Le Fourneau, we also receive clothing for women and men, so the clothing service is much appreciated, especially in winter. Once a month, a volunteer also organises a lottery, which is a source of great joy for many because everyone who participates wins something: chocolate, jam, instant coffee, sweets, hygiene products, backpacks and more.
Le Fourneau Economique is very grateful to all those who make donations by collecting unsold items, in kind and in cash, whether they are private individuals, Catholic and Protestant parish communities, schools or other benefactors, because without this network of generosity and solidarity, the Association would not be able to meet the needs.
Daughter of Saint Jeanne Antide: ‘We discover the face of Jesus Christ’ in every person who comes to seek a hot meal, but who very often thirsts for a smile, a listening ear, a conversation, tenderness, respect, a gesture of kindness, a discreet and fraternal presence.
Testimonial from a volunteer.
“My name is Maryse. I arrived in Nice in March and didn’t know anyone. I looked for the Food Bank because I used to go there before, and there I met Cyril, who told me about the Fourneau Economique.
As I am quite curious by nature, I went to the Fourneau Economique and discovered lots and lots of things. I admit that my main goal was to meet people, because I didn’t know anyone around me. There I discovered a whole world that was unknown to me. I come from a Catholic family, I was baptised, my parents were very devout, but I practise my faith in a random, inconsistent way. I accompanied my mother until her death and went to Mass with her.
At Le Fourneau, I met the Sisters, and I must admit that it was a real revelation for me, something wonderful! I discovered missionary Sisters, and missionaries mean a lot to me: they are very cheerful, of different nationalities, very active, and they give a lot. It is a real joy to have met them. I am learning a lot from them and from the other volunteers and the cook, Frank. I am only there on Thursdays, but I feel good, I like it, and I also meet the beneficiaries.
We are plunged into a world that we would rather ignore, not necessarily listen to, but the reality is staring us in the face.
There’s something that struck a chord with me and I found it very moving: at Le Fourneau, I see ladies who come for lunch and I get the impression that they are women on small pensions, but they dress as if they were going to a restaurant: they get together, they chat, they have lunch in a relaxed atmosphere and then, of course, the meals are very, very good, prepared by a great chef… so what a joy!
