Helsinki food aid draws more families as supplies shrink

Growing numbers of families with children are seeking food aid in Helsinki, while less food is available to distribute, Yle reports. The people asking for help also include students, pensioners, unemployed people and others on low incomes who have not previously relied on food aid.

Anni Heinälä, head of Stadin safka, the organisation coordinating food aid in Helsinki, said cuts to social security may be contributing to demand. Its network includes 80 organisations, including congregations, and Heinälä said she gets information from workers providing help directly.

Eastern Helsinki needs more food aid after the closure of the large distribution point in Myllypuro, Heinälä said. Stadin safka is seeking to increase distributions in the area, but does not expect another operation on the same scale.

Food supplies are falling as shops sell more discounted products nearing their sell-by dates to reduce waste. Food from restaurants and schools helps make up the shortfall.

At a food distribution run by Andreaskyrkan, a church representing the Finnish Evangelical Free Church, hundreds of people queued. Distribution began at 2pm, but the first people arrived in the morning. The church gives out food on Thursdays until 5pm.

Distribution manager Bo Ekman said child poverty was also visible in the queue. Some children had been bullied at school and stopped coming, he said, adding that single mothers therefore often queued alone. The line is generally orderly, and local residents donate clothes and furniture for the church to pass on.

Maija Jäppinen, an associate professor of social work at the University of Helsinki, said poverty had worsened in recent years, particularly among families with children. She attributed much of the increase to government benefit cuts, saying their combined effect was significant.

One person in the queue, an unemployed construction worker identified only as Ville, said he viewed the situation as temporary and one stage in his life.