Support from food aid
We offer food aid and support for financially challenging life situations free of charge in several locations across Finland.
Everyone faces unexpected situations and crises in their lives that can make their financial situation more difficult. You can turn to us for relief from financial distress.
The Finnish Red Cross organises food aid and distribution of material aid payment cards in different parts of Finland.
Our food aid involves more than just handing over a food bag or a payment card; it is about being genuinely present, listening and treating everyone with respect.
Our volunteers around the country organise food aid activities in cooperation with stores, schools, central kitchens, lunch restaurants and other operators.
We can also work together to find solutions to challenging life situations and assist with tasks such as completing aid applications. The support we offer is free of charge.
Where can I find food distribution events?
You can find a complete list of food aid available in your area at foodaid.fi.
In addition to the Red Cross food aid events, the Foodaid.fi website lists the upcoming food aid events of many associations, parishes and municipalities. It provides more detailed information on each event, including addresses, schedules and contact persons.
You can also ask for more information on food aid directly from your local Red Cross district office or branch (in Finnish).
Material aid payment cards
Payment cards are one form of support that helps those struggling financially. You can use the payment card (€40) to buy food and other basic necessities such as nappies and detergents.
The payment cards are intended for unemployed people, people with a low income, and those in difficult financial situations, and we always meet the people seeking help in person.
Alongside payment cards, we also offer other support and activities for people in difficult life situations, such as communal meals, financial and health advice and opportunities for discussion.
There are a limited number of payment cards, and they are not always available. Distribution practices and schedules vary. You can find the updating list of locations participating in the card distribution at the bottom of this page.
Updated list of locations
Distribution locations for payment cards between March and May 2026
Helsinki and Uusimaa district:
Espoo
Helsinki
Kerava
Kirkkonummi
Lohja
Myrskylä
Nurmijärvi
Porvoo
Raasepori
Rajamäki
Siuntio
Vantaa
Contact: hup.ruoka-apu@redcross.fi
Häme District:
Akaa
Forssa
Hattula
Hämeenkyrö
Hämeenlinna
Jokioinen
Lahti
Loppi
Länsi-Teisko
Mänttä
Orimattila
Riihimäki
Ruovesi
Sääksjärvi–Lempäälä
Tampere
Contact: marjo.salonen@redcross.fi
Southeast Finland District:
Hamina
Hirvensalmi
Iitti
Joroinen
Kangasniemi
Kotka
Kouvola
Kuusankoski
Lappeenranta
Pieksämäki
Rantasalmi
Savitaipale
Taipalsaari
Virolahti–Miehikkälä
Contact: emmi-riika.seppala@redcross.fi
Lapland District:
Enontekiö
Kemi
Kemijärvi
Kittilä
Kolari
Muonio
Pelkosenniemi
Pello
Posio
Ranua
Rovaniemi
Salla
Savukoski
Sodankylä
Tervola
Tornio
Utsjoki
Ylitornio
Contact: hanna-leena.martin@redcross.fi
Western Finland District:
Alajärvi
Evijärvi
Hankasalmi
Jalasjärvi
Jyväskylä: Kuokkala
Jämsä
Kaustinen
Kristiinankaupunki
Kurikka
Kyyjärvi
Laukaa
Petäjävesi
Saarijärvi
Seinäjoki
Teuva
Uurainen
Viitasaari
Ähtäri
Contact: ls.ruoka-apu@redcross.fi
Oulu District:
Haapajärvi
Hyrynsalmi
Oulu
Oulunsalo / Kempele
Kuusamo
Kärsämäki
Pudasjärvi
Puolanka
Siikalatva
Suomussalmi
Yli-Ii
Contact: mira.carlenius@redcross.fi
Savo–Karelia District:
Ilomantsi
Joensuu
Kaavi
Keitele
Kontiolahti
Kiuruvesi
Kuopio
Sonkajärvi
Sukeva
Tohmajärvi
Varkaus
Contact: petra.laitinen@redcross.fi
Satakunta District:
Ahlainen
Eura
Eurajoki
Harjavalta
Huittinen
Ikaalinen
Kankaanpää
Karvia
Kiikoinen
Kokemäki
Köyliö
Lavia
Merikarvia
Nakkila
Noormarkku
Pori
Punkalaidun
Rauma
Siikainen
Sastamala/Vammala
Säkylä
Ulvila
Contact: anne-mari.hakuni@redcross.fi
Åboland District:
Dragsfjärd
Kemiö
Korppoo
Parainen
Turku
Contact: frans.uggeldahl@redcross.fi
Southwest Finland District:
Kaarina
Koski Tl
Loimaa
Naantali
Pyhäranta
Raisio
Salo
Sauvo
Turku
Uusikaupunki
Contact: miika.norro@redcross.fi
Ostrobothnia Swedish District:
Jakobstad
Malax
Vaasa
Contact: lotta.boling@redcross.fi
Central Office contact: ruoka-apu@redcross.fi
Frequently asked questions about payment cards
The material aid payment cards are intended for low-income people who are in acute or prolonged financial distress.
There are a limited number of payment cards available, so unfortunately only some of those who need aid can receive one. In a situation where there are more people in need than there are cards available, our policy is to prioritise aid to those who are in the most vulnerable situation.
However, the Finnish Red Cross also offers other food aid activities to support people’s survival.
For more information on food aid events organised by the Finnish Red Cross in your area, please visit ruoka-apu.fi/en.
Finnish Red Cross branches identify beneficiaries and distribute the payment cards. Some of the cards are distributed in cooperation with partners, such as social services.
We always meet the people seeking help in person.
There are a limited number of payment cards available, so unfortunately there are not always enough cards for everyone.
You can find the locations where the cards will be distributed under the section ‘Updating list of locations’ above
It is worth 40 euros.
You can use a payment card to buy food and basic necessities (such as nappies, detergents and tissue paper) in S Group or K Group grocery stores.
You cannot use the card to buy gambling, alcohol or tobacco products or gift vouchers. It is also not exchangeable for cash.
A payment card is valid for about two months. You will be informed about the card’s validity period when you receive it, and it is written on the card.
The balance of the card is reset to zero after the expiry date.
(If there is any unused balance on the card, it will be redistributed through payment cards issued later.)
You can use the card multiple times during its validity period until the value stored on it runs out.
You can pay with the payment cards at Kesko and S Group grocery stores.
The grocery store chain where you can use the card is written on the card.
The payment cards can be used throughout Finland, excluding the Åland Islands.
Food aid in Finland
