This is the latest episode in a series of world news entitled ‘On the edge“, Who profiles people who have trouble with the increase in the cost of living. In this story, we examine how the increase in online business groups helps people afford the cost of living.
Although Facebook groups to exchange articles have existed for some time, during high cost and economic uncertainty, they have become a saving pardon for people in need.
In recent years, groups like London Giving Tree and Palz Trading Zone have increased in the way people are turning to them for Essentials.
Take the example of the Palz trading zone: it is a place where people can find what they need by traillating without money.
“Many of us face financial insecurity that going out and buying something is not always realistic, so the idea that we can swap because everything has a value, if not for you, to someone else,” said Shannon Dickson, one of the group’s moderators.
The group was founded 10 years ago by one of Dickson’s friends who had been part of a similar group in Toronto. He grew up for more than 20,000 subscribers.
Dickson said that if the group’s interest has always been there, with more people who had trouble getting out of it, positions of people asking for help with basic necessities such as food and baby items have grown up.
“People start increasingly,” she said.
“Unfortunately, we live in a society and a province that does not have an excellent net for people who live below, not necessarily even outside the poverty line, but who survive every day.”
Statistical Canada data shows that the average price of baby’s formula has soaked in recent years, going from an average of $ 28.83 in March 2022 to $ 36.25 in March 2023 and $ 42.88 in March 2024.
Some formula cans can cost up to $ 50, so it is not surprising for Dickson that the baby formula is among the group’s most requested items.
“It’s … a hard pill to swallow because people just try to extend their families and give their children the best possible start in life, and everything is so expensive,” she said.
Michelle Alexander, founder of the Facebook group of Giving Tree London, said he saw an increase in similar help requests.
“There are many people who are continuously asking for food, baby stuff like formulas, especially now because the increase (cost) of food and this kind of products are really overwhelming for many people at the moment,” said Alexander.
The group based in London has more than 27,000 members, and Alexander said that it had started to notice an increase in people who join the cost of living is starting to become a greater problem.
“This is overwhelming the number of messages approved per day, and I have a team to help,” she said.
With the growing need, Alexander added that they also saw the online community get up on occasion and get started to help.
“It is not only a question of saving money. It is about saving our planet, reducing waste and creating a social security net that does not descend from people who should do it for us,” she said.
“These groups are a great way to create a community where there is none.”
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