The Parvis Solidaire: An incubator for Parisian charitable projects

« La Salle à Manger », a unique solidarity restaurant, is one of nine social enterprises selected to pitch to hundreds of donors at the Parvis Solidaire, an annual event allowing social entrepreneurs from La Défense to raise vital funding. This year’s edition will take place on March the 11th.

The principle is simple: each participant has 4 minutes to convince a crowd of businesses and individual donors. The fundraising evening represents an opportunity to finance their actions and to gain visibility among local stakeholders. « The goal is to raise awareness among foundations, businesses, make them understand that with their support, we can improve the situation right at the foot of their tower », explains Antoine de Tilly, director of « La Salle à Manger ».

« What’s great is that there is no competition. We are all here to raise funds according to our needs. And we all defend truly different causes », says Stéphanie Taltasse, operations manager of « La Salle à Manger ». Some focus on themes like school dropout, isolated women, pornography addiction…

« La Salle à Manger » is a unique restaurant that combines social diversity, reintegration, and eco-responsibility. It offers healthy and varied dishes, made from unsold raw products. The full menu (starter, main course, dessert), which changes daily, costs €15 for commercial customers and €1 for people in precarious situations. The place operates thanks to the work of loyal volunteers and 8 employees in reintegration, who are often hired after this experience.

This isn’t the first time « La Salle à Manger » has participated in the Parvis Solidaire, as the event had already funded the creation of the place. According to Antoine de Tilly, « that’s also why it’s interesting, 3-4 years later, to come back and show donors that the experiment works, and that they can trust us. »

Last year, the Parvis Solidaire had raised over €500,000 in total. This year, « La Salle à Manger » hopes to receive enough help to maintain its activity and expand its impact while preserving social diversity. « Over 15,000 meals were served in 2023, with exactly 50% going to people in very precarious situations. We allowed 312 people to eat at least once a day. It’s a lot, but unfortunately, it’s not enough… » says Stéphanie Taltasse, who is in charge of the fundraising pitch.

The grand evening of generosity will take place at the CNIT Forest from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.