Nice Côte d'Azur Airport donates luxury products to the homeless

Already opened bottles of expensive shampoo, jars of luxurious skin creams, and half-full bottles of perfume. But also olive oil, marmalade, small jars of tarts, caviar or marinated sardines.

– These are things that are very successful among the needy people who come to us. They are used to getting basic goods, but since starting this project, they can also get a golden advantage in life. For them, it does not matter whether the bottle of the exclusive shower cream has already been opened, says Rene Close, director of the Restos du Coeur charity center in Nice, located on the French Riviera.

The project he is talking about is a collaboration between the charity and Nice Côte d'Azur Airport A year ago. Anything seized in the security inspection is taken care of by the organization's volunteers and then distributed to those who need and want. Among other things, France 3 television described the project in Several reports.

Previously, everything worked Which were set aside for destruction – and thus values ​​worth hundreds of thousands of kroner were turned into smoke. Now they are being looked after and jokingly described as “gifts falling from the sky.”

Each week includes 700 kilograms of tools, skincare products and food, often in luxury packaging. In the last week of May this year, the record was broken. In connection with the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, more than a ton of bottles, cans and tools were brought in.

– It may seem silly, but even the poor and homeless can enjoy high-quality olive oil, says Rene Claus.

The person he becomesv With their property on security check they can choose: either they can, for a fee, get it back at a later date, in which case the fee goes to the charity, or they can donate the property directly. If the owner flatly says no, it ends up in a landfill.

Most people choose to give it up right away. In fact, the project is today being described as a bargain for the airport. The resentment that often arises from security when travelers are stripped of their newly purchased precious perfumes and creams has been significantly reduced. It's simply a better feeling for everyone when you realize that the tool you're throwing away will be used by someone who desperately needs it. So far, 117,000 items have been taken care of.

According to Rene Close from the charity, questions have been received from several airports that want to implement the same system. This matter is “in progress” in Lille and Marseille.

“It's a very simple idea, and someone had to have it,” he points out.