We use the term ‘grass-roots groups’ to designate the regional Samaritan groups and Kolping families that support TEXAID, for example by helping with the collections. They do this either by organizing and carrying out the roadside collections or by helping us to find suitable sites for the TEXAID containers.

Samaritan groups and Kolping families are well established in their communes; as a result they reinforce the image and acceptance of the TEXAID collection systems. In exchange for their valuable assistance, they receive a share of the proceeds: over the past 10 years more than CHF 20 million has been paid to the Samaritan groups and Kolping families.