– It feels embarrassing. I’m in pain inside me. It hurts to tell the children that we can not afford, and I dare not say that we receive food from the Philadelphia Church. But I try to be strong. “Zelda” (35) is sitting on the lawn outside the 43 square meter, municipal apartment she has at her disposal in Drammen. Tears roll down my cheeks. She hides her face in her hands before trying to put on a brave smile. – It is difficult. Very, very difficult … On Monday, Statistics Norway presented figures showing that food prices in May were 6.3 per cent higher than last year. “Zelda’s” hands search down. Grass straw is constantly torn up and twisted nervously between the fingertips. Then she wipes aside new streams of tears while she says in a trembling voice: – I have four children. My mother is ill. Heart and lung failure. Diabetes. I have disability benefits and try my best to save. To live. Sometimes I have 20 kroner left at the end of the month. Other times 200. But there is usually an unforeseen expense. Pandemic, electricity prices, it’s only getting worse and worse. And now food prices. – The demand has increased by 100 percent According to Statistics Norway, 115,000 children live in households with persistent low income. There is most poverty among children in Oslo and Viken. – The rise in food prices affects those who in principle have the least. The weakest. Minimum pensioners come here without a buffer and there are very many families with small children, Lisbeth Hvalby begins at the Poor House in Greenland in Oslo. Lisbeth Hvalby at Fattighuset says that their goal is to make themselves redundant. – But it does not look like that, it just gets more and more needy. Photo: Private She says that it started with the corona, increased electricity prices, the Ukrainian refugees – and now the price increase on food prices. – We are worried, because we do not manage to handle everyone who comes now, Hvalby states. Every Wednesday and Friday they have food distribution. Then over 750 people are inside. – As far as possible, they get a pre-packaged carrier bag full of food. But when the demand has now increased by 100 percent in a short time, it goes without saying, Hvalby concludes. Every Wednesday and Friday there is a food distribution. Then more than 750 people drop by, says Lisbeth Hvalby. Photo: news / news Dreads of shopping The progress has also been at the Church’s City Mission, the Children’s Station and the Salvation Army. – We have had an increased progress with the families who are with us. We have around 300 users. They have greater financial challenges than they previously had, confirms business manager for the Blue Cross, Children’s station in Drammen, Ingvild Øgrim Harstad. There is a growing need for financial assistance for more and more people, says Ingvild Øgrim Harstad. Photo: Caroline Bækkelund Hauge / news – Many who have come once a month now come several times and maybe every week. This is what Lill Torunn Løwe, head of the care center at the Salvation Army in Drammen, says. Around 100 people come to them every week to pick up food, and several are single parents. Lill Torunn Løwe at the Salvation Army confirms the influx of more people in financial distress. Photo: Vilde Jagland / news – Many say that they are afraid to go to the grocery store as the prices are now, says Løwe. Øydis Jahren is the general manager of the Church’s City Mission in Drammen, Hønefoss and Kongsberg. Øydis Jahren at Kirkens Bymisjon. Photo: Vilde Jagland / news Three times a week, they hand out food to those who are struggling to make ends meet. – We have noticed a progress, yes, confirms Jahren. Desperate and scared After “Zelda” received disability benefits, she has been a user of the Salvation Army, the Philadelphia Church and the Church’s City Mission. She accepts food and clothes even though she says she feels ashamed when she has to line up. – It is a desperate situation. But I’m grateful they help. My mother also receives food from them, but we do not tell the children. The food bags at the Salvation Army help many in need. Photo: Kate Barth-Nilsen / news She buys the clothes at Fretex. Sometimes she gets help from friends. – I bought milk yesterday, it costs 31 kroner! I have to choose between food and clothes. Sometimes I have eaten only one slice of bread in two days. Other times I eat two or three slices in a day. It is the children who have priority. They must have food and clothes. I do not buy things for myself. – How do you see the future? -I’m afraid. Trying to be strong. But do not know how long I can do it. I do not want to cry in front of the children. I’m tired. At the same time, I think that there are many who feel worse than me, “Zelda” concludes. “Zelda” is worried about the future. Not just on your own behalf. Photo: Henning Rønhovde / news
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Large increase in needy people after the price increase for food – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
