Gangdong-gu Increases Senior Center Lunch Meals from 3.3 to 5 Times per Week

Secured 324 Million Won Through Supplementary Budget
Increased Social Activities Expected as Seniors Frequently Visit Community Centers
Providing Balanced Meals to Elderly Living Alone

Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu.

Seoul Gangdong-gu (District Mayor Lee Su-hee) announced on the 10th that it will expand lunch support at senior centers to five days a week starting this month. The district secured 324 million KRW in additional budget necessary for expanding lunch services to five days a week at senior centers.

There are 135 senior centers operating in Gangdong-gu, providing an average of 3.3 lunches per week. However, with this project, elderly users of the senior centers will be able to have meals five times a week, creating a stable meal service environment.

According to the senior center demand survey, the number of lunch helpers will increase from 200 to 329, more than 1.6 times, and monthly supplementary food expenses will be added to the existing operating costs. In addition, the district plans to increase the amount of rice support per senior center by 4 bags (20kg per bag), distributing a total of 12 bags.

This project is expected to help prevent depression and provide psychological stability by increasing the frequency of visits and social activities of the elderly at senior centers. It is also meaningful in that it provides balanced meals to economically vulnerable or elderly people living alone.

Park Seon-nyeo, head of the Elderly Welfare Division of Gangdong-gu, said, “In today’s super-aged society, providing lunch support at senior centers five days a week will play an important role in helping the elderly maintain a healthy life and improve their quality of life.” She added, “We will actively strive to transform senior centers into spaces that invigorate the elderly.”