Helping Build Social Safety Nets, Targeting Vulnerable Households Such as Elderly Living Alone and Disabled
[Gokseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-sun] Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, announced that its sharing volunteer activities are receiving positive responses from local residents.
Since 2011, Gokseong-gun has been continuously carrying out a side dish support project for 12 years.
It is a sharing volunteer activity that provides side dishes to vulnerable households such as elderly living alone and disabled people on the second Friday of every month.
This year, 20 million KRW was supported for purchasing side dish ingredients to assist vulnerable groups who have difficulty preparing meals.
The volunteers do not simply deliver packages but also help build a social safety net.
During the delivery process, they inquire about the recipients' well-being and identify welfare needs, becoming an important part of the local social welfare delivery system.
In March, side dish packages were delivered to 122 households, including elderly men living alone.
About 20 volunteers, including staff from the Gokseong Volunteer Center, members of the Sharing Volunteer Society, and integrated case managers, directly prepared and delivered the side dish packages.
The packages included ready-to-eat meals so that even those unfamiliar with cooking could prepare food easily and conveniently.
Especially this time, in addition to side dishes, crochet scrubbers hand-knitted over a month by local volunteers were also delivered.
Volunteer A, who donated the scrubbers, said, “Last year, I saw an article about youth volunteers making pot holders from sock yarn for the elderly, and I wondered what I could give to neighbors in need. I recalled that most elderly people were using old scrubbers, so I decided to make crochet scrubbers for them.”
A said, “Due to my work, I had limited time, so I made the scrubbers during evenings. The elderly really liked them, and that made me happy as well. I guess many people volunteer because of this kind of feeling.” and smiled.
A Gokseong-gun official said, “We thank the volunteers who have been steadily carrying out side dish sharing volunteer activities for vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone and disabled people. We hope the culture of sharing and volunteering spreads throughout the region.”
Gokseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-sun cha6960@asiae.co.kr
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