The need for food aid in Finland has doubled during the corona pandemic. Operation Open Door led by Jarmo Teräsheimo is a necessary, but unknown to many, link in the food aid chain.
Operation Avoin Ovi ry’s warehouse door closes when donated foodstuffs are brought in and packages assembled from them are taken out to be distributed. In Finland, it is estimated that almost ten percent of households currently suffer from difficulties in making ends meet.
The association’s activities have a strong spiritual basis. Avoin Ovi forwards food items donated by the food industry to parishes and local associations, which distribute the aid further. Currently, the association delivers food to a wide area from Southern Finland to Central Finland and Southern Savo.
According to Teräsheimo’s estimate, 20,000 to 25,000 needy people are helped every month with the food aid of Operation Open Door.
The connoisseur of the sales job became a helper
Organizing food aid has been everyday for Jarmo Teräsheimo for twenty years. Previously, he was in various sales jobs.
– For example, I bought coffee, which was used to help those suffering from the famine in Ethiopia. When Lidl came to Finland in 2002, I received the first donations from there. I drove them in the back seat of a small Opel, he recalls.
After the recession of the 1990s, there were many long-term unemployed in Finland who needed help. The activity grew gradually.
– Stores and food manufacturers got in touch and I noticed that food distribution needs to be organized. Operation Open Door works as a kind of wholesale. We collect the donations and distribute them to local organizations. They, in turn, distribute them to those in need as grocery bags, explains Teräsheimo.
The association has also had other activities. Before the corona era, it organized monthly soup parties and a Christmas meal for the needy in Lahti. Teräsheimo says that Operation Open Door also supports Ukrainian refugees who have come to the Lahti region.
The man of a thousand tarts
There have been many disappointments and lucky strikes along the way. Jarmo Teräsheimo likes to remember when an acquaintance offered him Christmas tarts.
– An acquaintance said that she has a small tart problem, and she should get rid of 15 pallets of frozen Christmas tarts. There were 400 tarts on each stage. I said yes, it’s fine for us. Then we had 6,000 tarts to share, laughs Teräsheimo.
The association’s activities have developed considerably over the years. Of course, there must be cold rooms and freezers for cold products. The premises must be appropriate and transport equipment is also needed.
– Finding premises has been a big challenge, because we can’t afford to rent them in the best places. Fortunately, we have received a lot of help. Now we have appropriate facilities where it is good to work, says Teräsheimo.
The economy is always tight
Running a non-profit charity association is not easy, as the operation is financed by contributions and the mandatory expenses must be covered. Office expenses, such as rent, heating and electricity, take thousands. Insurance must also be taken care of.
– That is, money goes all the time. For the first time, I had to send an e-mail message to the cooperating parties that now help is needed in order to cover the expenses with support payments, says Jarmo Teräsheimo.
He is still not worried about the continuation of the operation.
– The need for food aid will probably increase when prices rise and, among other things, housing costs also increase. Fortunately, donations are coming in all the time. Yes, we will get through this, assures Teräsheimo.