The aid supplied by churches usually takes the form of foodstuffs and store vouchers. For example, the Lutheran Herttoniemi parish in Helsinki has already this year handed out more vouchers than it did for the whole of last year. These days, every time a church food distribution point in Helsinki's Myllypuro opens it doors, it draws close to 1200 people. Last year the usual number was around 800.
Help with rent
For those in dire need, churches are also providing rent money. Some parishes also give cash to help other bills.
"We provide rent money on a case-by-case basis as emergency aid. This financial aid also includes discussions with the applicant about his or her situation in which we try to find a more permanent solution," says Hannu Suihkonen, who is in charge of aid services for a group of parishes in Turku and Kaarina.
Hard times are usually seen in parishes after a lag. People tend to go through the options available from official welfare services before turning to churches. It is expected that queues at parish food distribution points will be even longer this autumn.
Surviving the weekend
Korso's Pentecostalist church distributes foodstuffs donated by local merchants twice a week. One of the unemployed, Ossi Sutinen, has been availing himself of the service for six years.
"I don't have the money to buy food. Nowadays food is expensive, so without help from the church, I'd be hungry," says Sutinen.
Sutinen receives 410 euros a month in support that is paid to unemployed job-seekers. He says it's not enough.
"One can't get by on 410 euros in this world, if you plan to pay your bills. It would have to be half again as much for me not to have to stand in this food line."
On Thursday, Sutinen's bag filled up with ready-to-heat pizza, cold cuts, hardbread and milk, his supplies to survive on through the weekend. The next time the food distribution centre is open is Monday, when he intends to be in line again. He plans to show up a couple of hours before the doors open to make sure he doesn't have to leave empty handed.
There were 150 people seeking aid on at the Korso church on Thursday, and the food ran out.
"Often those at the end of the line don't get anything. They always get bread, but there's not enough of the other food for everyone," explains Helga Niskanen, the volunteer in charge of the parish's food aid service.
