Free Meal Boxes Provided to Vulnerable Populations

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] As free meal centers throughout Gyeonggi Province shut down en masse due to concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus, the province has stepped up support for vulnerable populations by providing alternative meals such as boxed lunches.

According to Gyeonggi Province on the 9th, the province operates senior cafeterias at 166 locations including senior welfare centers throughout the region, providing free meals to elderly citizens who face financial hardship or have unavoidable reasons to skip meals. However, with most welfare centers and other facilities closing from the 3rd to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, approximately 20,000 elderly people who regularly used the senior cafeterias now face the prospect of going without meals.

In response, the province and municipal governments are utilizing volunteers to deliver boxed meals to elderly residents' homes or arranging for elderly people to pick up meals and eat at home.

Free meal services for homeless people are continuing without disruption.

Suwon, which has a larger homeless population than other municipalities, had four local civil groups in the city providing free breakfast and dinner to approximately 100 vulnerable people in the area at the Jeong-na-neum-ter near the Suwon Station Maessan Police Substation. However, after confirmed cases emerged in Suwon and three organizations suspended meal distributions, the Suwon-Dasireogi Dream-ter (temporary homeless shelter) jointly operated by Gyeonggi Province and Suwon City now visits the Jeong-na-neum-ter twice daily to provide alternative meals such as kimbap and boxed lunches to homeless people.

Lee Byung-woo, head of the Welfare Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "The provision of boxed meal deliveries or alternative meal support following the suspension of senior cafeteria free meals is a measure to protect the health of vulnerable populations and prevent infectious disease transmission," adding "We will proceed carefully to ensure that not a single low-income vulnerable person goes without a meal."