Photo: Tore Kristiansen / VG
Many are struggling financially, and the Christmas season means that the demand for help increases.
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The demand for help at Christmas is increasing, especially among families with children. The food center in Norway distributes several million meals each year, but the resources are not enough. Figures from Opinion show that many people skip meals due to poor advice. 17 percent of the population had been to a food station for to get help in August 2023, figures from OsloMet’s Dyrtid 4 survey show. The Salvation Army and the Church’s City Mission offer both food and other help at Christmas, but capacity is full. Show more
– There are twice as many people who have asked for food aid now, compared to the summer of 2022, says Per Christian Rålm, general manager of Matsentralen Norge.
He, and the rest of the Food Centre, distribute several million meals each year. Especially around Christmas time, asking for help feels extra heavy for many.
– Around Christmas, we also know that it is the part that knows extra about exactly this. Then the whole rest of Norway is in party mode, says Rålm.
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NEVER NO: Per Christian Rålm, general manager of Matsentralen Norge, says that they never say no to food, and accept everything they can get. Photo: Tore Kristiansen / VG
More than ever
The increase has been the greatest in families with children in particular. Here, several notice extra bad advice.
More people drop or limit buying clothes and equipment for their children, according to The Salvation Army. Twelve percent of the population skip meals because they cannot afford it. As many as 44 percent buy less food or less healthy food, according to figures from Opinion, relayed by The Salvation Army of NTB.
WORKS: Shandi Olsen is one of many workers behind the Matsentralen. Photo: Tore Kristiansen / VG
– There are not enough resources in volunteering to help everyone in need during the animal season, says Rålm.
They are giving out more food than ever before. Nevertheless, the Food Center would like to distribute much more.
– The need is even greater out there.
17 percent of the population has been to a food station to get help with food in a certain period in August 2023, OsloMet’s survey dyrtid4 shows. This is a large increase from last year’s six percent.
PACKAGES READY: They have several prepackaged bags to hand out to private individuals. Photo: Tore Kristiansen / VG
Rålm’s call is now for those who need help to seek it.
– Not everyone comes and asks for food assistance from the volunteers. But fortunately, there are quite a few who do.
Rålm hopes they can be helped as best they can, regardless of whether people need a lot of help, or just a simple food bag and community.
– The food makes a big difference to these people. Food aid is also extremely important for the food industry.
SEVERAL HUNDREDS: The food center in Norway supplies food to over 500 different organisations. Photo: Tore Kristiansen / VG
The work they do at the Food Center also helps to reduce food waste, and that organizations can offer a wide range of products and offers.
Comes crying
The Salvation Army is one of the organizations that distributes food to those in need. In addition to the fact that they offer other types of help at Christmas.
– There are a lot of people who ask for help for Christmas, says Håkon Løtveit, press adviser for the Salvation Army.
He notices that people are very grateful for the help they offer. Nevertheless, many people find it shameful to ask for help.
– Many come to us crying, says Løtveit.
People start applying for Christmas help as early as September.
– It is very, very difficult for many.
REGULARLY IN: Jon Skaro from Ressurskafeen in Nesodden comes in once a week to pick up food. Photo: Tore Kristiansen / VG
Crisis time
The increase in people who need help is great. The Church’s City Mission fears this Christmas will be difficult for many.
– The need exceeds the capacity of all aid organizations combined, says general secretary Adelheid Firing Hvambsal.
They have now announced that they need a budget for times of crisis, and hope this will be prioritized in the national budget.
Secretary General of the Church’s City Mission Adelheid Firing Hvambsal has received several comments that it is a difficult time for many. Photo: Torstein Ihle/Kirkens Bymisjon
– This year we also see new groups, says Hvamsbal.
She says that several of those seeking help are families who, until recently, managed on their own income. Due to the increased expenses on food, housing and electricity, they can no longer afford this.
That this group of people is seeking help is new for the Church’s City Mission this year.
– So it is not a good and final solution for various organizations to remedy the situation here and there. Therefore, the politicians must ensure that people have an income that they can actually live on, says Hvamsbal.
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Published: 19.11.23 at 16:41
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2023-11-19 15:41:55
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