Restaurants du Coeur, Les

   (Restos du coeur)

   Food distribution charity, handing out food packages and hot meals to the needy. The organisation was set up in 1985 under the inspiration of the popular comedian Coluche (q.v.), and has since then developed to become one of the biggest charities in France. The organisation is made up of a national charity backed by 113 local organisations. In 2006-07, the Restos du coeur mobilized over 50,000 volunteers, distributed over 81 million meals, provided overnight shelter for 7500 people, as well as running a number of smaller social aid programmes.