Food is about far more than just survival

My Syrian friend sent me this photo last night of him and his friends sharing a warm meal of rice and tomatoes by the fire after one of the most brutal and horrific weeks I’ve ever experienced in Calais.

Looking at this photo, it’s clear to me that food is about more than just survival. After another big eviction and intense police action all over the city, that brief moment of respite at night when you sit down to share a meal with your friends can make all the difference.

On the surface, our four-person food packs are about fighting hunger in a city where access to food distributions is becoming increasingly more limited. But deep down we know that it’s actually an opportunity to share a peaceful evening speaking your own language, cooking something of your own choosing, and retaining some sense of agency in a place designed to strip you of it day after day.

It’s a reminder that you’re not alone, and that no matter what happens you can rely on these moments of companionship to stay positive, hopeful and sane.

With so many police raids and food distribution bans in Calais we have focused almost all of our efforts on keeping people from going hungry. We have fed more than 650 people every week with our group food packs and snack packs. To help us keep this going please contribute at care4calais.org/emergency-appeal