For 10 years, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group’s “Pink Bojabi” initiative has delivered homemade side dishes to seniors living alone, people with disabilities and other vulnerable residents, while providing regular social contact.

Launched in 2016, volunteers prepare nutritious dishes and personally deliver them to recipients. The programme has also expanded through local branches, with volunteers making regular visits and providing seasonal meals and welfare information.

Beyond food delivery, the initiative helps address social isolation. Regular visits allow volunteers to check on residents’ well-being and identify potential concerns, such as declining health or uncollected mail, which can then be reported to local community centres.

One long-time volunteer said that recipients who were initially hesitant now wait for their visits, adding that knowing they are safe is the greatest reward.

An elderly recipient also described the visits as an important source of companionship and practical support.

A local community centre official noted that government resources alone cannot provide daily monitoring of isolated households and said regular volunteer visits provide an important additional safety net.

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group said it will continue the programme to ensure vulnerable neighbours receive both practical support and meaningful human connection.