Diaconal help

All the matters regarding food assistance in the Seinäjoki city center area, must be always dealt in person in your local diaconal office or the Food Bank.

NOTE: If you live in Nurmo, Ylistaro, or Peräseinäjoki, please contact the diaconal worker in your neighborhood.

• The local parish’s diaconal office is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:30 in Ala-Kaljun katu 1C (the entrance is at the rear of the building, at street level). No appointment required

• The Food bank is open on Tuesday from 9:00 to 12:00 at Matti Visanninkuja 15.
• If health-related reasons prevent you from visiting in person, you can contact us by phone on Tuesdays between 13:30 and 14:30 by calling 06 418 4902.

Staff members’ contact information

For any other matter non concerning food-aid, you can contact the diaconal worker of your local parish directly at their work phone number on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30.

• Otto Savolainen, Director of Diaconal Services, phone number: 050 570 6271
• Mervi Laasanen (Centre, Uppa, Pohja, Marttila), phone number: 040 594 3557
• Seija Saari (Alakylä, Katajalaakso, Kultavuori, Huhtala, Jouppi, Heikkilä), phone number: 050 570 6273
• Tanja Salo (Kasperi, Kivistö, Kapernaumi), phone number: 050 570 6152
• Tuomo Salo (Törnävä, Hallila, Pajuluoma, Kärki, Simuna, Soukkajoki), phone number: 044 767 0884
• Virpi Skytte (Worker with the Elderly), phone number: 044 580 6722
• Johannes Heikura (Ystävän tupa, volunteer work), phone number: 040 187 8145

The diaconal office is located in Hyllykallion seurakuntakoti, Opintie 1. Our email addresses follow the format firstname.secondname@evl.fi. Please make an appointment in advance on weekdays between 9:00 and 15:00.

Staff members

• Helena Nahkuri, phone number: 050 567 4422
• Kati Latikka, phone number: 050 369 1755
• Johanna Lahtela, phone number: 050 369 1750 Email address: johanna.k.lahtela@evl.fi
• Niina Vuorela, phone number: 050 468 3730

The diaconal office is located in Peräseinäjoen seurakuntatalo, Kirkkotie 2.

• Tarja Niemi, phone number: 040 547 8918.

The diaconal office is located in Ylissali, Kaukolanraitti 7, 61400 Ylistaro. The diaconal office receives by appointment only. All appointments must be booked via the on-call phone, which is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 11:00 at this number: 06 418 4090.

• Diaconical workers Heidi Jokinen and Suvi Loukola. 

Individuals and families with low basic incomes can receive assistance from the Food Bank, as can those who have fallen on hard times for various reasons. People living alone who receive basic unemployment benefits can also receive a food basket in case of necessity.

For the assessment of the applicant’s financial situation, the applicant must provide documents/declarations of possible financial support, disability pension, KELA allowance, or any similar forms of benefit. Students must provide proof of enrollment from the institution.

The assistance granting is always discussed with the diaconal worker first. This can happen either by phone or in person, in the diaconal office. During the conversation, the diaconal worker will assess the applicant’s situation and grant assistance on a discretionary basis if needed. 

You cannot apply for food assistance on behalf of another person. Anyone in need of food assistance must apply personally.

All matters regarding food assistance in the Seinäjoki city centre area must always be dealt with in person in your local diaconal office or the Food Bank.

If you live in Nurmo, Ylistaro tai Peräseinäjoki, get in contact with the diaconal worker in your residential area.

The food parcel must be collected personally. The Food Bank is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 12:00 to 16:30. One applicant/household at a time. The Food Bank is located at the address: Matti Visannin kuja 15 B, 60100 Seinäjoki.

Midsummer distribution is on Tuesday 16.6.2026 and Wednesday 17.6. from 11:00 to 16:30.
Spring’s last distribution day is Thursday 9.7.2026.

In autumn, the Food Bank opens on Thursday 27.8.2026.

A friend, trusted person, or support person may, with the permission of a diaconal worker, pick up the food parcel in cases of illness or other exceptional circumstances. The food parcels may be delivered at home when the person in need is unable to pick one up themselves for health reasons and has no close relative or friend who can pick it up on their behalf. 

Matters regarding topics other than food aid can be addressed by contacting the diaconal worker of your residential area directly at their work phone number on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:30.

Example of the content of a food parcel:

• Ground beef
• Macaroni
• Sausages
• Cold cuts
• Eggs
• Yogurt/quark
• Bread
• Possibly other donated items, the quantity and size of which may vary

Be aware that the content of the food parcel may vary depending on the items donated. We will take dietary restrictions into account whenever possible, so let the diaconal worker know about them when applying for the food aid.