He sells soup on the street to survive. “I’ve been doing this for 30 years”

The fact that the financial situation of Polish seniors is getting worse has already been warned in the latest Poverty Report of Szlachetna Paczka. Currently, poverty affects approximately 300,000 elderly people in Poland. Progressive inflation, high prices and small pensions do not ensure a decent life. Poverty most often means a choice – either medicines, food, or electricity and gas bills. Often there is not enough money for either one or the other. They know this, among others. activists who have been supporting older people for years and providing them with everyday help.

One of them is the legendary Ursynów social activist, Roma Łojewska. The president of the “Ariadna Association” is aware that the autumn-winter season, around Christmas, is usually the most difficult. Her patients often simply have nothing to eat. That’s when “Ariadna” comes to the rescue.

I receive calls asking if I can come earlier because they don’t have anything to eat. Yesterday, one gentleman called us and simply burst into tears and said: ‘I’ll admit it. I don’t have anything to eat anymore’

– she told us in November. You can read more below:

Unfortunately, there are more and more such stories. Some of them were publicized by the program’s journalists One of its heroines is Mrs. Ewa, who has been selling żurek on the street for several dozen years. Before Christmas, she also sold handmade Christmas decorations. This is still a small addition to her pension, which amounts to only PLN 1,600.

I’ve been doing this for 30 years. Every day, Tuesday to Saturday. Unless the weather is unpredictable, snowing or pouring, I don’t go out

– she said in the program “Attention!” TVN.

Poverty among Polish seniors. “I sell on the street so as not to die of hunger”

– I sell on the street so as not to die of hunger. I have a pension of PLN 1,000. PLN 600, and I only pay PLN 900 in rent, and I also have a son to support – the senior woman reported. Mrs. Ewa’s family situation is also difficult. Her son has been in hospital for 4 years and is unable to work. Unfortunately, she is not the only one. Mrs. Krystyna, on the other hand, has such a low pension that she has had to earn extra money for 13 years. He sells obwarzanki on the street.

I stand and freeze for a few pennies (…). There is now not even enough money from the pension itself to pay the fees. It’s hard, that’s why I’m standing here

– says the 86-year-old. Even though he is in a very difficult situation in life, he still maintains his inner joy. It also happens that he meets friendly people on his way. – Once upon a time, a young girl bought her child an obwarzanek in the morning. She gave me PLN 100 and didn’t want the rest. I thanked her, she left and came back a moment later. I thought she would want change, but she gave me another 100 zlotys, Krysia told journalists.

According to this year’s Poverty Report, approximately 290,000 seniors live in extreme poverty every day. 34 percent of ‘Szlachetna Paczka’ beneficiaries are single people, most of whom in this group are elderly – admits the Wiosna Association in a published data sheet. “More than a quarter of the families receiving assistance consist only of seniors,” we read.