In this article, we focus on shame among the recipients of charity food aid in Finland. We are

interested in whether shame is explained by sociodemographic factors, frequent use of food

aid or the persons for whom the charity food is obtained. Our analysis is based on survey

data collected in 2012–2013 (N = 3474). Shame is measured using two indicators that are

related to social and personal shame. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression are

utilised. Nearly three of four respondents do not perceive receiving food aid as humiliating or

socially harmful. Feelings of social shame are more common when charity food aid is needed

to support an entire family rather than an individual recipient, and feelings of personal shame

are more common when there are two or more children in the family. The highly educated, the

elderly and those with the most insucient perceived incomes are more socially and personally

ashamed than others are. Women receiving charity food aid consider it more socially shameful

than men do.