The “A Gift for Your Neighbour” Appeal, which is jointly organised by the Evangelical Lutheran Parishes in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, helps those with low incomes celebrate Christmas. The appeal focuses on gift cards, which can be used to buy groceries for Christmas or gifts for children or other loved ones. Over the past year, the need for assistance has risen dramatically in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area: all 27 parishes who responded to a diaconal survey reported a sharp increase in the number of people in need, and a worsening situation for those who are most affected by the cuts to Finland’s social security.

A Gift for Your Neighbour” is a joint donation campaign organised by the Evangelical Lutheran Parishes in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. Previously, it was known as “Dress the Christmas Tree” (Rakenna joulupuu). The appeal focuses on gift card donations, the value of which is up to each donor. The organisers especially welcome gift cards from major grocery chains, as they are the most versatile option for different needs. The collection period begins on 13 November and lasts until 7 December 2025. The appeal includes around 40 gift card drop-off locations in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. For a detailed list, please visit lahjalähimmäiselle.fi.

Families with children and pensioners need increasingly help

‍The respondents to the survey for diaconal workers in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area reported a sharp increase in the need for help, reaching up to 20% in some areas. Their responses highlighted how difficult the situation has become for families with children, to pensioners, and to those who are living on subsidies. This is due to the social security cuts, the increased cost of living, and rising unemployment. Although diaconal financial aid is typically considered a form of last-resort support – i.e. it is only provided to those who cannot receive social support – an increasing number of people are seeking diaconal aid.

“Families with children are facing increasing financial hardship. For example, they cannot afford their children’s hobbies and they have to pay more for their groceries,” explains Eeva Einola, a diaconal worker at Espoon tuomiokirkkoseurakunta.

Iisa Iso-Markku, a diaconal worker at Oulunkylän seurakunta, Helsinki, notes that single-parent families and those living alone are in an especially vulnerable situation. She also highlights unemployed academic graduates as a new group seeking support.

The survey also highlighted young adults and international students as new aid seekers, and the pool of applicants has become more multicultural overall.

The diaconal workers’ responses repeatedly highlighted the cuts to housing allowances, especially in the case of those living alone. “People are having trouble affording their rent, which then manifests as overdue rent and evictions. Since social assistance does not cover a person’s entire rent, many have been forced to cut back on other daily expenses,” Eeva Einola continues.

The diaconal workers reported an increasing number of low-earning applicants, which is due to the fact that working temporary gigs has become unviable in today’s economy.

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