Credit: Caritas Luxembourg
On Thursday 21 March 2024, Caritas Luxembourg inaugurated the new premises of Caritas Buttek in Diekirch in the presence of Luxembourg’s Minister for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Max Hahn, and all its partners.
At the end of December 2023, Caritas Buttek moved to the new premises located at 15, rue Saint Antoine in the centre of the town Diekirch. “I am happy that after such a long search we were able to find a place to continue our social work in Diekirch,” emphasised Marie-Josée Jacobs, president of Caritas Luxembourg during her introduction. Established since 2011 in Ingeldorf near the Forum Emploi center, Caritas Buttek had to leave the premises due to the redevelopment of the site.
For Caritas Luxembourg, however, it was important to be able to stay in Diekirch due to its central location. In fact, 185 families in Diekirch and the surrounding area depend on help from the social grocery store to feed themselves, according to Caritas Luxembourg.
The new premises are divided into three spaces offering different services. The first is a social grocery store which allows people in need sent by social partners to do their shopping at prices that are a third of the market price. Staple products such as milk or pasta are given free of charge thanks to the support of the European Union and Luxembourg’s Ministry for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees. Secondly, the Kleederstuff is the part on the premises where people can buy second-hand clothes from €1 to €12. Latsly, in the Kaffisstuff, offered by Caritas Buttek, visitors can enjoy coffee and cake while being attentively listened to, as Caritas Buttek emphasised its commitment to being more than just a grocery store.
Many activities are also organised, such as breakfasts to teach beneficiaries' children to eat a balanced diet or cooking classes for their parents. In 2023, thanks to a partnership with BNP Paribas Cardif, a cookbook with healthy and balanced recipes for a small budget was produced and distributed to Caritas Buttek beneficiaries. A second will be published in 2024. Soon, a solidarity march will be organised as part of the fight against childhood obesity and the GIMB project (Gesond iessen, méi beweegen; healthy eating, exercising more). Other activities and workshops are planned in 2024 as part of a project carried out in collaboration with the Ministry for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees with the support of the European Social Fund (ESF+) programme.
The new location of the Caritas Buttek in Diekirch aims to allow new synergies and collaborations. The visibility is already a positive step, the organisation added. Many people who did not know Caritas Buttek and came to find out more. Three new volunteers have since signed up. Several downtown merchants got in touch to see how they could work together. Besides, clothing donations have never been so numerous, Caritas added. The new location is especially beneficial for beneficiaries, however, as access is much easier than before. Furthermore, the new premises are more welcoming and brighter, so that beneficiaries can feel comfortable, Caritas concluded.
