[Year-End Changed by COVID-19] Increasing Visits for Remote Meal Services... People Are Hungrier Than Stomachs

As Senior Centers and Welfare Centers Close and Free Meal Services Halt
'Morning in Jongno, Evening in Seongnam'... Hundreds Flock to Open Locations Raising Quarantine Concerns

On the 26th, elderly people wearing masks lined up closely next to the fence of Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to receive lunch boxes. (Photo by Ryu Tae-min)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] On the 26th, during the Christmas holiday, in the alley next to Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in front of the Social Welfare Won-gak Senior Free Meal Center (Wongaksa Senior Free Meal Center). About 100 elderly people lined up along the fence of Tapgol Park 30 minutes before the free meal distribution started at 8 a.m. Mr. Kim Ho-yeon (pseudonym), in his 70s, who was standing near the front of the line, said, "Because of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the free meal center near my home closed, so I come here every morning from Cheonan," adding, "After receiving the meal here, I plan to stop by another free meal center in Seongnam for a meal."

Recently, as COVID-19 has spread, the number of impoverished elderly wandering the streets has increased. With social distancing raised to level 2.5, elderly facilities such as senior centers and welfare centers have effectively closed, leaving the elderly with nowhere to go. Moreover, as free meal centers across Seoul have also suspended meal distribution, making it difficult to get a meal, the elderly are enduring long-distance travel to find free meal centers.

Free Meal Centers Closing One After Another

In fact, the National Angel Free Meal Center, which operates 16 meal centers nationwide, suspended operations indefinitely at all branches from the end of last month as COVID-19 resurged. A meal center official said, "We plan to suspend operations indefinitely until the COVID-19 situation calms down." Five volunteer centers in the Gyeonggi region (Suwon, Hwaseong, Ansan, Gimpo, Hanam), which support the Love Rice Truck for marginalized groups, have also stopped meal distribution from this month until February next year. With social distancing level 2.5 implemented in the metropolitan area on the 8th, more places are expected to suspend operations.

On that day, about 450 elderly people visited the free meal center during the three hours from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Ja Gwang-myeong, the general manager of the meal center, explained, "The number of people visiting here has more than doubled compared to last year," adding, "It seems that many people gathered here because free meal centers across Seoul have closed due to the COVID-19 situation." The Social Welfare Won-gak provides free meals every morning.

On the 26th, a notice stating the temporary closure of operations for COVID-19 prevention was posted on the glass window of a free meal service located near Jongno 3-ga Station in the Seoul subway. (Photo by Ryu Taemin)

Most of the elderly who came here said, "I'm hungry, but I also came because I was lonely." Mr. Jeong (76), who came from Uijeongbu, said, "For elderly people like me who have leg difficulties and live alone, it's not easy to prepare a meal at home," adding, "Although the distance is far, I like coming here every day to eat and easily make friends with peers." Mr. Park (81), who lives in Dongdaemun-gu, said, "Although I live with my family, staying at home every day makes me feel self-conscious and frustrated, so I came out," adding, "The free meal center near my home closed, so I came here."

The elderly who waited in line for about 30 minutes to receive rice balls or lunch boxes ate them on the sunny street or put them in their bags and headed to the subway station. This is because indoor use of free meal centers became difficult as social distancing was raised to level 2.5. Accordingly, free meal centers changed their method to making rice balls or ordering lunch boxes to distribute to the elderly. The elderly who received meals gathered in small groups and moved to other free meal centers. In fact, most of the elderly who received meals that day said their daily routine was to finish breakfast and lunch in Jongno and then move to the free meal center "Anna's House" in Seongnam for dinner.

Donations Also Halved

Although the number of people who rely on free meal centers has increased, donations have decreased. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the economic situation of companies and individuals has worsened, significantly reducing donation amounts. Ja Gwang-myeong said, "Donations to free meal centers have decreased by about half compared to last year." Moreover, the need for labor has increased due to tasks such as packaging food and maintaining safe distances, doubling the difficulties.

As COVID-19 resurges and people are advised to refrain from going out, the unfavorable social perception toward these free meal centers and the elderly wandering the streets is also a major hardship. In fact, on that day, although meal center staff helped maintain safe distances and disinfect the elderly gathered in front of the meal center, it was insufficient to fully control everyone. When lunch boxes were distributed, the elderly in line pressed close to the person in front, narrowing the distance. Staff shouted repeatedly to maintain distance, but it was not properly followed. Some elderly even wore masks below their chins or did not wear masks at all.

However, staff who have provided meals to the elderly for a long time appealed for some understanding of the situation of the elderly wandering the streets. Kang So-yoon, the general affairs officer of the free meal center, said, "It is true that there are concerns about COVID-19 prevention, but someone has to make sure these people do not skip meals," adding, "The meal centers regularly disinfect and distribute masks to the elderly, doing their best to comply with prevention guidelines, so we hope people do not view this too negatively."