Joseph Pronesti at the heart of the future premises of the Gard Food Bank. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET
Un futur bâtiment de 1 400 m3 qui triplera la surface actuelle du local de l'association. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET
Affected by the fire of its six vehicles, the association has just concluded a long-standing project with an upcoming move to new, much more spacious premises.
The place is still just a stripped-down warehouse, but for the president of the Gard Food Bank, Joseph Pronesti, it is a promise of comfort that is written in the heart of the Nîmes Gare Market. This Friday, December 6, the man signed with Nîmes Métropole, via SPL Agate, the purchase for €956,000 of this building of some 1,400 m3.
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“It's a big, long-standing project costing nearly €2 million,” sighs Joseph Pronesti, as he glances over the still dilapidated walls. The Agglo is buying our current premises for €412,000, so we'll have more than €500,000 to pay, not to mention the work that should cost around €1 million. Everything has to be done…” Everything has to be done, but it's a necessity for the Food Bank, which is more than cramped in its current 660 m3 premises. “In relation to the foodstuffs that we manage, we would need, according to the logistical rules, 1,700 m3”, confides Joseph Pronesti.
This new location, which should be inaugurated by the end of December-beginning of January 2026, will however have the merit of offering decent changing rooms, toilets, meeting rooms and offices to the fifty or so volunteers who work daily within the association. “We know that we will still be cramped, but at least we are improving working conditions”, projects the president of the Gard Food Bank, who has already made estimates to equip, if the structure allows it, the roof with photovoltaic panels: “It is an investment of €200,000 with a 7-year depreciation, but it would then allow us to repay the signed loan of €600,000 over 20 years”, details Joseph Pronesti, while walking on the adjoining parking lot which will offer shelter and a decent reception to the trucks of the partner associations to load and unload the goods.
Support after the fire
A major project that warms the hearts of the Food Bank after the fire of its six vehicles. Like the Gard Departmental Council which voted that very morning a subsidy of €50,000, many communities have shown their support, in addition to individuals: “We have nearly €350,000 in promises of aid”, counts Joseph Pronesti who also has an appointment next week with the prefecture which should follow up very substantially on this wave of solidarity. “The national federation of food banks will also write us a check for €25,000. I also had a message of support from the 9 food banks in France which are ready to help”, adds the president. Who is looking for two volunteers to go to Strasbourg next Tuesday to bring back two vehicles donated by the Bas-Rhin Food Bank. As a reminder, the damage caused by this probably malicious act has been estimated at nearly €500,000. For the time being, the perpetrator has not yet been found.
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