– The family travels a lot, because the mother cannot afford a driving license and a car. So then they need a winter suit for the baby too… Ellen Bakke packs the car. Soon she will be leaving for a mother who is alone with several children. The youngest is five months old. This autumn, the mother asked for help for the first time. And she is not alone. – Everything is expensive – Thank you, says the clearly relieved mother when Bakke shows what she has brought. She does not want to be photographed or have her name in print at news. But she is willing to tell. The mother says she is paid NOK 7,200 a month, in addition to child benefit. Money which in recent months has been getting shorter and shorter. When she saw the prices in the grocery store, she went to the till to ask what had happened. – Everything is expensive. Things that cost NOK 29 before cost NOK 50 now. Ellen Bakke in Hjelpende hender is on her way out to a single mother who needs winter clothes for her children. Now she gets 10–15 new inquiries every week. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen Ellen Bakke in Hjelpende hender is on her way out to a single mother who needs winter clothes for her children. Now she gets 10–15 new inquiries every week. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen Housing for trouble Over 500,000 Norwegians live on a low income, according to Statistics Norway (SSB). The agency came out with a report on Thursday in which they take a closer look at how they are doing. Housing costs are particularly burdensome for those who can’t afford it. Under a quarter of them own a home. And a large proportion of them cannot afford to replace worn clothes or furniture. Social activities and leisure activities are also unattainable for many. Power and corona Men: the report to Statistics Norway looks at the years 2017–2020. There is little indication that things have improved. First came the corona. Then came the Ukraine war and rising prices. This autumn, Ellen Bakke and the organization Hjelpende hender på Romerike have received 10–15 new inquiries every week. – What has perhaps increased the most is the demand for more, she says. The time before Christmas is particularly chaotic for Ellen Bakke and the others in Helping Hands. The need for Christmas presents is great. So far, 160 have made contact – and it’s still only October. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen / news People need more help, and they need it more often. – Several people who previously only needed help at Christmas now ask for food every month. And they ask for more food and clothes than before. There is simply nothing to go on, according to Bakke. She receives desperate calls from parents who send pictures of empty fridges. The Salvation Army experiences a doubling All the organizations news talks to say the same thing: Now there is a crisis. At the Salvation Army, they are seeing increased activity across the country. Doubling in several places. For example in Moss, where on Wednesday they distributed food to 250 people. More than twice as many as last summer. Many are coming for the first time. And feel despair and shame. – They never imagined that they would end up in a situation where they had to go to the Salvation Army and ask for a food bag, says Andrew Hannevik in the Salvation Army. Assistant communications manager Andrew Hannevik in the Salvation Army says they are well aware that more people are now struggling financially. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen / news Balancing on the edge The report from Statistics Norway shows that even before the corona pandemic, 4 out of 10 people with a low income could not manage unforeseen expenses. It has gotten worse. At least one in four Norwegians has received worse advice this year, figures from August show. For those who have the least, everyday life is collapsing now. Both Helping Hands and the Salvation Army see it. During the pandemic, many people lost income and had to use up their savings. – So now they stand on bare ground, when the crisis comes, says Hannevik. A tight economy has become even tighter. – Everything you may have managed to save on before has become more expensive, says Ellen Bakke. Board games, dresses, suits, woolen clothes and towels. The needs are great. And everything must be nice and complete, Ellen Bakke is concerned about. The organization runs a thrift store to finance the charity. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen / news The dream of a birthday Her organization has also noticed. This summer they received an electricity bill of NOK 78,000. Therefore, they have to scale back a little, say no to more. At the same time, they notice that more people need help. Both with the very basics: food and clothes. But also what gives dignity. Candy and costume for the children on Halloween. Sausages and soft drinks so the son can invite the class to a birthday party. A gift card for the daughter who turns 17. A trip to the cinema. Or a toy for the family dog. Unnecessary spending of money, some think. But Ellen knows what it can mean: – For many, it is a lifesaver. That dog might be what keeps you alive.
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Aid organizations report a crisis – more and more people need help with food and clothes – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
