Resumption of Operation of 'Cheonsa Free Meal Service' in Buk-gu, Gwangju

Buk-gu⇔(Sa)Hanguk Nanum Yeonmaeng⇔Gwangju Buk-gu Comprehensive Volunteer Center Collaboration Resumes

Providing Lunchbox Packages through December Pilot Operation... Official Operation from January Next Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Buk-gu, Gwangju City announced on the 7th that it has resumed the operation of the ‘Cheonsa Free Meal Service,’ which has been responsible for providing a warm meal to low-income elderly living alone in cooperation with the local community.

The Cheonsa Free Meal Service first opened near Usan Neighborhood Park in Buk-gu in 2017 and has provided lunch three times a week to isolated elderly living alone. However, its operation was suspended from October last year due to the impact of COVID-19 and manpower shortages.

In response, in October, Buk-gu, the Korea Sharing Federation, and the Buk-gu Comprehensive Volunteer Center signed a business agreement, and through a pilot operation this month (December), the service will officially resume from January next year.

During the pilot operation period, meal packages including lunch boxes, ramen, masks, bottled water, and fruit are distributed, and from January next year, meals will be provided at the newly renovated ‘Cheonsa Free Meal Service’ facility.

Director Moon said, “I am pleased to be able to serve warm and heartfelt meals to the elderly again,” and added, “We will continue to cooperate with various institutions and organizations to build a tight social welfare safety net so that no residents are left isolated.”

Meanwhile, Buk-gu operates the ‘Love Meal Truck’ at Usan Neighborhood Park in partnership with the Buk-gu Volunteer Center and sponsored by IBK Industrial Bank. During the break period of the ‘Love Meal Truck’ from October to November this year, ‘Mind Sharing Lunch Boxes’ were provided with support from the local community, including the ‘Baruge Salgi Movement Buk-gu Council.’

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong ks7664@asiae.co.kr