La Cloche, founded 10 years ago, emerged from a realization: two worlds were hardly communicating. “The world of shopkeepers and that of precarious individuals who might beg in front of stores” explains Baptiste Peycelon.
All shopkeepers have the opportunity to take action and become supportive. The ways to act are numerous and simple… In a restaurant, for example: “When I go to pay my bill, I can choose to buy a ‘suspended coffee’. We don’t know who will receive it, but it’s waiting. This person will come to enjoy this suspended drink without the label of being poor” explains the manager. A suspended coffee is a coffee paid for by a third party for someone in need; this principle can be applied to many other things.
Shops involved are marked with a pictogram “Le Carillon” on their storefronts, making them recognizable to both donors and recipients. A guide is also distributed weekly, listing these businesses that participate in solidarity actions. This guide is also available in digital format.
Of course, citizens without businesses can also take action: “We will also enable people to share activities together so that they can meet, talk, and live together.”
Thus, La Cloche offers free fun and creative activities to allow people to meet without judgment.
