As the prices of groceries continue to rise, NPOs in Tokyo that offer free meals are increasing the number of users, but the purchase price of bento boxes is rising, so there is concern about the impact on future activities. doing.
The NPO "TENOHASI" in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, prepares meals for people in need at a park near Ikebukuro Station several times a month.
On the 31st, nearly 100 people lined up from 30 minutes before the start of 5 pm and received 150 lunch boxes containing side dishes such as fried food and boiled fish.
According to the NPO, the purchase price of some bento boxes began to rise around the end of the year due to the rise in the price of groceries, and the bento boxes on that day also went from 350 yen to 400 yen.
Recently, the price has risen by about 50 yen overall, and now there are stores that are willing to keep the price unchanged, but there are concerns about the impact on future activities.
The NPO corporation also provides meals along with lifestyle consultations, but on the 28th of last month, the largest number of 522 people visited so far, and there are a number of voices saying that the price increase will make life difficult.
Kenji Kiyono, the secretary general of the NPO, said, "There are increasing needs for support because some users have replaced their meals with cooked lunches due to the impact of price increases, but if this situation continues, it will be necessary to reduce side dishes or make additional donations. It will have a big impact on our activities. "