Suwon Volunteer Center Joins 'Suwon Shared Refrigerator' Project

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] The Suwon Volunteer Center announced on the 23rd that it will participate in the 'Suwon Shared Refrigerator' project, which operates refrigerators where residents can share food.

The 'Shared Refrigerator,' first installed by the Suwon Sustainable Development Council in Gosaeok-dong, Gwonseon-gu in January 2018, is a refrigerator used by all where anyone can stock food and those in need of food can take it. It has the effect of reducing food waste and revitalizing community bonds.

Currently, 13 units have been installed throughout Suwon. Until the 12th location, the Suwon Sustainable Development Council installed and operated them, but the Suwon Volunteer Center has decided to participate in the shared refrigerator project.

The Suwon Volunteer Center installed one shared refrigerator (the 13th location) at the Jidong Changnyong Village Creative Center on the 21st. By August, it plans to install a total of four additional shared refrigerators at ▲Woori Nakji Hanmadang (21 Gatmaesan-ro, Paldal-gu) ▲Eolssigujelsseegu (52 Pajangcheon-ro, Jangan-gu) ▲Hwangsil Jjamppong (313 Paldalro, Jangan-gu) ▲People Making Love (Hwaseo-dong, Paldal-gu) restaurants and food service establishments.

The Suwon Volunteer Center plans to designate professional food service volunteers as the management entity for the shared refrigerators to ensure hygiene.

The shared refrigerator can contain vegetables and other food ingredients, fruits, side dishes, processed goods like canned foods, frozen foods, beverages, grains, bread, and rice cakes. Foods with a remaining shelf life of two days or less, alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals, health supplements, and spoiled foods cannot be donated.

Residents wishing to share food can apply for donations at the business or organization operating the shared refrigerator and then place the food in the refrigerator.

Lim Suk-ja, director of the Suwon Volunteer Center, said, "I hope the shared refrigerator becomes not simply a space to stock food, but a connection point where residents can interact and communicate with each other."