Higher food prices bring longer breadlines

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Increasing numbers of people in the Helsinki region and other areas have been queueing up for free food. Those manning the distribution points say that the number of needy showing up for a bag of foodstuffs has grown considerably.
      Heikki Hursti, a private volunteer who distributes food in Helsinki, says that more than 1,000 people have shown up on each distribution day in recent weeks. A few years ago the turnout was just 300-400, and at the beginning of this year, the number was 600 to 700.
     Hursti says that people come from all over the Greater Helsinki area for the handouts.
     
About two tons of European Union food aid are distributed to the poor in Finland each year. In addition to the EU, private helpers distribute food donated by shops and companies in different parts of the country.
     "The need is considerable in the Helsinki region, but in recent times we have been contacted from other parts of the country, where there are reports of a need", Hursti says.
     
According to Hursti, he has been approached by people in Tampere, Lahti, Kemi, Tornio and Joensuu who have asked him to help organise the distribution system.
     Food distribution has been implemented in Turku, Oulu, and Pori.
     There are frequent inquiries on Internet message boards asking about times of food distribution.
     "I have never been in need of something like that, but now I am out of money and I don't know when and where they exist", wrote one commentator.
     Another one was disappointed in the food on offer:
     "I went to the Myllypuro bread line for the first and last time. The hot dog buns were mouldy. The sell by date was November 20th 2007 and I got them on the 24th. I had to eat only the sausages with the kids, and they tasted good with mustard. Does anyone monitor the distribution of bread in Helsinki? Merchants give away bread on the sell-by date, and it is distributed still for several days after that date. I would rather go hungry than comedown with a stomach disease from eating spoiled bread."
     
In Vantaa, the Ruoka-apu ("Food Aid") organisation began distribution of food in Myyrmäki in March with the held pf the local Lutheran parish and the City of Vantaa. The group, which also distributes food in Simonkallio, collects food as donations from producers and shops.
     The head of the association, Jari Ilmonen, says that those in need of aid include the long-term unemployed, pensioners, and others who have fallen through the cracks of public assistance.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki breadline offers Mayor Pajunen food for thought (24.2.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat