Hannes Snellman as Main Cooperation Partner in Finland’s Largest Food Aid Event

Food aid for thousands, community spirit, and the power of helping – the #1000tekoa tour brings help to three cities.

Finland's largest aid event, #1000tekoa, has been immensely popular in Helsinki for two years in a row, and Hannes Snellman is cooperating as a main partner of the event. This year, the event's impact is expanding, as good deeds are done also in Tampere and Turku.

#1000tekoa is a unique joint effort that brings together associations, businesses, and cities to do good. The core of the #1000tekoa event is the distribution of 1000 food bags to those in need and to provide 500 free lunches at each event location. In addition, there will be communal activities and things to do for all ages. The event's goal is to pay it forward and offer concrete help and advice to those who need it.

The main organiser of the tour is Commu, which is Finland's largest helping app, with over 60,000 users across Finland.

“The number of people in need of help has increased due to inflation and societal changes. At the same time, asking for help is associated with a lot of shame and feelings of powerlessness,” says Karoliina Kauhanen, the founder of Commu. “Everyone needs a helping hand or a listening ear sometimes, and you don't always have to cope alone. 1000tekoa is a place where anyone can sign up and experience the power of community,” she continues.

The events organised in the past years have helped thousands of people in different life situations, such as pensioners, families with children, students, Ukrainian refugees, and unemployed people.

“Hannes Snellman has a long tradition of sustainability work. By participating in the #1000tekoa event, we can, together with Commu, respond to the challenges of our society, such as inequality, while promoting human rights, inclusion, and community. The cooperation with Commu also gives our employees the opportunity to help in a concrete way and to be involved in making a difference,” says Heidi Heinänen, Communications and Sustainability Manager at Hannes Snellman.

“All of us need help sometimes. The best thing about the event, however, is the genuine encounter, which makes the helping experience personal. We all want to feel that we are valued, so by offering and receiving help, both get the experience that they are important,” Senior Associate Riikka Kuha continues.

“We are all on the same line and equally valuable. Each of us deserves to receive the help we need. The fact that I can now be on the helper's side is not self-evident but could also be the other way around. That's why it's important to pay it forward and help when you have the opportunity,” summarises Associate Elina Uitto.

The #1000tekoa tour starts in the spring from Tampere. On the first day, 11 May, at the Tampere House, there will be an opportunity to enjoy a free lunch and receive a food bag, in addition to participating in the activities for all ages and visiting the community café.

The #1000tekoa tour programme and additional information

Tour dates

• Saturday 11 May 2024 Tampere-talo, Tampere
• Saturday 24 August 2024 Logomo, Turku
• Saturday 30 November 2024 Kauppakeskus Redi, Helsinki

More information (in Finnish): CommuApp.fi