As the infection of the new coronavirus spreads rapidly, many people are in need of living due to a decrease in income, and many people are visiting the food distribution provided by support groups.
Second Harvest Japan, a support group in Taito Ward, Tokyo, distributes food free of charge to people in need of living four days a week.
A total of more than 80 people, including those who lost their jobs and students for five days, visited and received a bag of about 8 kg containing rice, bread, and retort food.
According to the group, there were many days when more than 100 people visited, and in some cases more than 300 people, which was twice as many days as before the spread of the infection.
A male student in the fourth year of university who lives alone in Tokyo said, "The karaoke shop where I work part-time is closed due to the state of emergency, and my life is difficult. I'm still worried that I'll be gone. "
A 45-year-old single-mother woman with a first grade child said, "It's difficult for a child to have three meals a day during the summer vacation. Because of this, I'm not feeling well because I can't eat enough. Just having food gives me peace of mind, which is a great help. "
Yukika Takeda, a pantry manager of the organization, said, "We have never seen so many people visit us, and we are trying to find out how we can continue our activities as needs increase. Some people may feel embarrassed to receive it, but I want them to think that this is a place where they can easily come without holding it alone. "
"Second Harvest Japan" distributes food not only in Tokyo but also in Saitama and Kanagawa prefectures, so please check the website for details.