Providing Lunchboxes Twice a Week for 50 Children Over One Year
Strengthening Public-Private Cooperation
Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province has officially launched the 'Haengbok Dookki Project' to address gaps in child meal support.
This is the business agreement ceremony held on September 30, 2024, between Gumi City, SK Siltron Co., Ltd., Happy Narae Co., Ltd., and the Social Cooperative Happy Dosirak, attended by Kim Jangho, the mayor of Gumi City.
This project, which began on the 17th, focuses on providing fresh side dish lunchboxes twice a week for one year to 50 children who have difficulty securing regular meals.
The project was initiated following a business agreement signed on September 30 last year between Gumi City, SK Siltron Co., Ltd., Haengbok Narae Co., Ltd., and the social cooperative Haengbok Dosirak.
The project is funded by a donation of 100 million KRW from SK Siltron Co., Ltd. and Haengbok Narae Co., Ltd., both members of the Haengbok Alliance.
Gumi City is working closely with the social cooperative 'Haengbok Dosirak' to ensure strict management of lunchbox menus and hygiene. The local self-sufficiency center's business group, 'Oneul-ui Chance' (located in Doryang-dong), has been selected as the lunchbox production and delivery company. This approach is expected to not only improve child welfare in the region but also create a positive economic cycle by increasing the business group's revenue.
The lunchboxes are composed of soup or stew, side dishes, and snacks, taking into account the essential nutrients needed for children's growth.
To ensure freshness, the lunchboxes are made and delivered on the same day, and are handed directly to each household twice a week using insulated bags.
After the one-year support period ends, the city plans to connect the children to the official child meal support system so they can continue to receive assistance.
The city intends to go beyond simple meal support by working with Haengbok Narae Co., Ltd. to provide comprehensive welfare services for children, including daily necessities, housing improvements, and emotional and educational support.
Kim Jangho, Mayor of Gumi, stated, "Through the Haengbok Dookki Project, we will do our best to ensure that children receive healthy meals and grow up stably," adding, "We will continue to expand public-private cooperation to seek sustainable support measures."
Meanwhile, currently 2,137 children (925 general, 1,212 from local child centers) in Gumi City receive meal support for low-income families.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
