“Families with children have run out of money”

Money for bus tickets, clothes and shoes – many families in financial distress turn to aid organisations.

– We see that families with children have run out of money. People have tried to cope, so now we get long lists of what the children need, says Åse Henell, general secretary of Majblomman.

Sweden’s City Missions have seen during the year and summer how more and more people visit their businesses to eat. During the summer – when the school lunch is not served – the needs grow.

– We have had young people tell us that “mother asked me to come here and eat”, says Jonas Wihlstrand, secretary general of Sweden’s City Missions.

This year, all City Missions have opened up more activities – and everything has been full this summer. The statistics in their entirety are not clear, but so far almost 600 children have been tested, almost 400 young people got summer jobs and 5,000 people participated in various summer activities where food is included. It can be swimming trips, going to a fairground or eating ice cream.

– There are no extravagant things. It is activities that create stories. It is often what makes a summer holiday, and means a lot for the rest of the year, says Wihlstrand.

Mainly clothes and shoes

It is a picture shared by Majblomman. In the applications to them, it is common to visit the cinema, a dream of visiting Liseberg or being able to go to the cup with the football team.

– Ten weeks in the summer is a very long time to sit at home and not be able to do anything, says Åse Henell.

But mainly the applications are about clothes and shoes.

– We see that families with children have run out of money. People have tried to cope, so now we get long lists of what the children need.

In June, the Confederation of Majbloms distributed 5 million. That is 4.1 million more than June last year, which is based on this year’s record sales. There is still no information on how much the local associations distributed.

Can’t afford a bus pass

About half of the municipalities do not offer children public transport cards during the summer, and parents who cannot afford them turn to Majblomman, according to Henell.

– What we also see is that young people in junior high school and high school get municipal summer jobs, but you can’t even afford to accept your summer job if you don’t get a bus pass.

During the summer, it is mainly families with children with support who apply to Stadsmissionen, but also single parents who have low-wage jobs. Mayblomman notices that new groups are reaching out to them.

– If you are single and work full-time but in a low-wage profession, you will have difficulty getting around children. That worries us, says Henell.