Temel, 46 years old, was unemployed for more than 10 years. Having to pay alimony to his ex-wife and taking care of the 2 children from his current marriage, he ran up serious debts. In Belgium, the “at risk of poverty threshold” is 899 Euros with 15% of the population at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Today, thanks to the OCMW, the public organisation for social welfare, which helps him to manage his income, Temel’s situation has improved a lot. But still, every euro counts. That’s why Temel welcomes the social grocery-initiative, where people supported by the OCMW, can buy basic products at a significant discount.

*Data from 2008, latest data available