Food donated every month to Mapo Happy Sharing Food Market (Director Kang Byeong-il, hereinafter referred to as Mapo Food Bank) is a great help to Mapo-gu residents struggling with financial difficulties.

This year, the Seodaemun branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group (Branch Manager Choi Byeong-san, hereinafter referred to as the Seodaemun branch) donated food to low-income families in Mapo-gu every month through Mapo Food Bank Branch 2.

The Seodaemun branch donated ▲January (12th, 20 boxes of ramen), ▲February (1st, 300 packs of seaweed), ▲March (7th, 1kg of white sugar), ▲April (2nd, 150 cans of soy sauce), ▲May (22nd, 200 packages of sagol gomtang rice), ▲June (19th, 400 packages of Jin Ramen), ▲July (17th, 150 cans of Ottogi curry), ▲August (21st, 100 cans of roasted salt), ▲September (25th, 300 packages of Jin Ramen), ▲October (23rd, 100 cans of gochujang), ▲November (20th, 100 cans of traditional soybean paste), and ▲December (18th, 120 cans of flour).

Through this, about 500 Mapo-gu residents benefited. Elderly Kim Bong-nam (76, pseudonym, female, Mapo-gu, Seoul), who receives food from the Seodaemun branch donation corner every month, said, “When I was healthy, I collected waste paper to make a living, but I couldn’t do that since I hurt my back early this year, so I was at a loss,” and added, “I’m really grateful that they only provide the food I need.”

■ Detailed feedback after donation… Popular corner

Food donated by the Seodaemun branch of Mapo Food Bank is sold out in less than two days after it is placed. It is a bonus that beneficiaries leave notes saying, “Thank you,” and “I will enjoy the meal.”

Here, there is a ‘detail’ unique to the Seodaemun branch. Rather than simply donating, volunteers and staff frequently visit Mapo Food Bank to observe the speed and pattern of how donated food is consumed, communicate with relevant personnel, and analyze the needs of beneficiaries.

Yoon Young-min, deputy director of the Seodaemun branch, explained, “I thought it would be meaningful to donate items that the beneficiaries really need,” and “Through consistent research and communication, we selected food items that could provide practical help to our struggling neighbors in Mapo-gu.”

■ Bright atmosphere at every donation ceremony… “I feel happy”

The day when Seodaemun branch volunteers visit Mapo Food Bank Branch 2 to hold a donation event is more lively than ever.

Director Kang Byeong-il, who felt happy when he saw the bright expressions of the volunteers and the pretty pickets they prepared, said, “I like how bright the atmosphere is every time there is a donation ceremony,” and presented a plaque of appreciation to the Seodaemun branch on the 18th.

A Seodaemun branch official said, “We didn’t know that our small volunteer work would be such a great help to our struggling neighbors in Mapo-gu,” and pledged, “We will continue to donate and become the light and salt of the local community.”