SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Families' Money Has Run Out

Money for bus cards, clothes, and shoes – many families in economic distress turn to aid organizations. We see that families with children's money is running out. They have tried to make do, so now we get long lists of what the children need, says Åse Henell, Secretary General of Majblomman.

» Updated: 18 September 2024, 23:42

» Published: 17 August 2024

The Families' Money Has Run Out
Photo: Hasse Holmberg/TT

Sweden's City Missions have seen during the year and the summer how more and more people visit their activities to eat. During the summer – when school lunches are not available – the needs increase.

We have had young people telling us that "mum asked me to come 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 fully booked during the summer. The complete statistics are not yet available, but so far nearly 600 children have been to summer camps, nearly 400 young people have got summer jobs and 5,000 people have participated in various summer activities that include food. It can be swimming trips, going to the amusement park or eating ice cream.

These are not extravagant things. These are activities that create stories. It is often what makes a summer break, and means a lot for the rest of the year, says Wihlstrand.

Mainly clothes and shoes

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

Ten weeks in the summer are very long 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 no money left. They have tried to make ends meet, so now we get long lists of what the children need.

In June, Mayflower's national association distributed 5 million kronor. It is 4.1 million more than in June last year, which is due to this year's record sales. There are still no figures on how much the local associations have distributed.

Cannot afford bus cards

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

What we also see is that young people in high school and upper secondary school get municipal summer jobs, but they cannot even afford to accept their summer job if they do not get a bus card.

During the summer, it is mainly families with social benefits who seek out the City Mission, but also single parents who have jobs with low wages. Mayflower notices that new groups are seeking them out.

If you are single and work full-time but in a low-wage job, you have a hard time making ends meet with children. It worries us, says Henell.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Shots fired at house outside Falkenberg
1 MIN READ

Shots fired at house outside Falkenberg

Criticism of the climate agreement: "Means death"
2 MIN READ

Criticism of the climate agreement: "Means death"

Pourmokhtari: More countries must take responsibility
2 MIN READ

Pourmokhtari: More countries must take responsibility

Rapid Spread of Multiresistant Bacteria
1 MIN READ

Rapid Spread of Multiresistant Bacteria

Man Seriously Injured in Accident Involving Lift
1 MIN READ

Man Seriously Injured in Accident Involving Lift

The train is running again over the Öresund Bridge after signal failure
1 MIN READ

The train is running again over the Öresund Bridge after signal failure

Multiple countries are monitoring the Chinese vessel
1 MIN READ

Multiple countries are monitoring the Chinese vessel

Hybrid ground beef takes its place on store shelves
5 MIN READ

Hybrid ground beef takes its place on store shelves

Hauliers strike back: "Everyone has a responsibility"
2 MIN READ

Hauliers strike back: "Everyone has a responsibility"

Woman falls into elevator shaft – taken to hospital
1 MIN READ

Woman falls into elevator shaft – taken to hospital

Discovery: Chimney Smoke Causes Snowfall
3 MIN READ

Discovery: Chimney Smoke Causes Snowfall

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute warns of sudden icy roads
1 MIN READ

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute warns of sudden icy roads

Controversial Climate Agreement Reached: "Great Frustration"
3 MIN READ

Controversial Climate Agreement Reached: "Great Frustration"

Children Seriously Injured after Crash in Eslöv
1 MIN READ

Children Seriously Injured after Crash in Eslöv

Lidl recalls pizza - may contain metal
1 MIN READ

Lidl recalls pizza - may contain metal

Calls for a meeting about the reading crisis: "Extremely serious"
1 MIN READ

Calls for a meeting about the reading crisis: "Extremely serious"

The Rescue Worker after the Snow Chaos: "There is no Knowledge"
3 MIN READ

The Rescue Worker after the Snow Chaos: "There is no Knowledge"

After Covid – Stocks of Protective Equipment Strengthened
1 MIN READ

After Covid – Stocks of Protective Equipment Strengthened

The SD's homework: Winning over those who don't like the party
2 MIN READ

The SD's homework: Winning over those who don't like the party

"No agreement is better than a bad agreement"
1 MIN READ

"No agreement is better than a bad agreement"