Material Aid and Inclusion
The Finnish Red Cross has been distributing material aid payment cards as part of the Material Aid and Inclusion project since 2023. The project provides comprehensive support to people facing challenging financial situations.
The payment cards are intended for unemployed people, low-income individuals, and those in difficult financial circumstances.
Alongside the cards, the aid recipients are offered activities and support that strengthen social inclusion, such as community meals, financial and health counselling, psychosocial support, opportunities for discussion, and guidance to various services and actors. All activities are open to everyone.
With the payment card (€40), recipients can purchase food and other basic necessities.
Aid recipients are identified and the payment cards are distributed locally by Finnish Red Cross branches as part of food aid activities and in cooperation with partners (social services, parishes, other organisations). More than 1,000 of our volunteers across over 100 branches are involved in this work. Distribution methods and schedules vary by location.
The payment cards are distributed to recipients personally.
Material aid payment cards for low-income people are funded by the European Social Fund Plus. The material aid is part of the measures of the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme.
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.