How to get help during Christmas? Food aid, support for loneliness and help for young people
Christmas can come with many concerns. If you need discussion support, company, food aid, meaningful things to do or help for a young person, the Red Cross can help you across Finland.
This page provides information regarding the kinds of help provided by the Red Cross at Christmas:
Help with loneliness at Christmas
Many people feel lonely at Christmas. We also organise a wide range of friend visitor activities year-round, both face to face and online.
- Find events in your area
- Talk to people on FriendChat
- Participate in friend visitor activities face to face or online
Food aid at Christmas
If you are experiencing financial difficulties, food aid is also available during Christmas.
In addition to the Red Cross, many organisations, parishes and communities provide food aid. The foodaid.fi service provides up-to-date information on food distribution and communal meals in your area.
Help for young people and their loved ones even at Christmas
Christmas can be a difficult time for some young people and families. There may be conflicts, loneliness or insecurity at home.
Red Cross Youth Shelters provide discussion support, crisis support and, if necessary, a safe place to spend the night – even at Christmas.
You can contact us online, call us whenever you need to or come directly to one of our Youth Shelters. You can come to us on your own initiative and without an appointment. You can also chat with us online.
You can also contact us if you are a family member or loved one of a young person and need support.
- Contact the Youth Shelter or visit us
- Reserve a discussion slot at Nettiturvis
- Talk to people on Sekasin chat (in Finnish)
Do you need urgent help?
If your situation is urgent or you need immediate support:
- Call the emergency number 112.
- Contact your local social and crisis emergency services.
- Contact the Youth Shelter
Frequently asked questions about the aid provided by the Red Cross at Christmas
Where do I get help at Christmas?
The Red Cross provides food aid, support for loneliness and help for young people’s crisis situations throughout the year.
Where can I find food aid at Christmas?
Up-to-date information on food distributions organised by different operators are listed on the foodaid.fi service.
Can I come to the Youth Shelter at Christmas?
Yes. Red Cross Youth Shelters are there for young people also at Christmas. In addition, Nettiturvis offers nationwide discussion support online.
What can I do if I’m feeling lonely at Christmas?
We can provide you with people to talk to and meaningful things to do even at Christmas. Join the FriendChats online maintained by Red Cross friend visitor volunteers, or come to the free-of-charge Christmas cafés to meet people face to face.
Does the Finnish Red Cross provide Christmas aid to people with a low income in Finland?
Yes. We offer support for loneliness, food aid and help for young people in crisis situations throughout the year. Further information is available on this page.
We also distribute Good Holiday Spirit gift vouchers for families with children and a low income in Finland. As the name suggests, the gift voucher is a gift, and cannot be applied for. The Red Cross and the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare are supported in the selection of the families by the municipal social services, child health clinics, school healthcare, diaconal work of the parishes and the municipal immigrant services, for example.
Help with loneliness
Helping young people with everyday problems – the Red Cross
