By Justina Ilkevičiūtė, LRT TV, LRT.lt.
About one in five residents in Lithuania lives in poverty, the State Data Agency (VDA) reported, with the most affected groups including people struggling to enter the labour market, pensioners and those with disabilities.
Alekas, 30, has a passion for cooking but has been unable to find work as a chef for over a year.
“I see ads for assistant cooks. But when you call – thank you, we already have someone. You know how it goes. Still, hope dies last,” he said.
He lost his home a year ago and now stays in a shelter, visiting a charity soup kitchen almost every day. In the afternoons, the centre is full, serving hundreds of people, including seniors, the disabled, recently released prisoners, and the homeless.
Ingrida Radzevičė, director of the Betanija Social Centre, said younger people are increasingly seeking help.
Read more: LRT.LT
