Osan City's "Food Dream Corner" Receives Strong Response from Citizens

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] The "Food Dream Corner" operated by Osan City for vulnerable groups is receiving enthusiastic response from citizens.

The Food Dream Corner has been operating since March, beginning with the Osan Segyo Comprehensive Social Welfare Center and Osan South Comprehensive Social Welfare Center (hereinafter referred to as welfare centers), and recently expanded its operation to neighborhood administrative welfare centers within Osan City (Daewon-dong, Namchon-dong, and Sinjang-dong).

To date, more than 10,000 citizens have used the Food Dream Corner, with age groups ranging from people in their 20s to those in their 90s.

Currently, the welfare centers provide three essential daily necessities to 50 citizens per day who are facing difficulties due to COVID-19, while neighborhood administrative welfare centers provide food supplies twice a month for elderly residents living alone.

In particular, various donated items received by Osan City (ramen, instant rice, masks, etc.) are also being supplied to the Food Dream Corner, and as a result, an increasing number of individuals and organizations are making direct donations to the welfare centers and neighborhood administrative welfare centers. It is expected that the Food Dream Corner will play a significant role as a support channel for vulnerable groups going forward.

Beyond simply providing food, the Food Dream Corner is also taking the lead in identifying blind spots in welfare coverage.

In particular, the center conducts welfare consultations with citizens who visit the Food Dream Corner, and has connected families facing economic, medical issues, and childcare crises with various welfare services, even helping some households become eligible for the National Basic Livelihood Security Program.

Meanwhile, Osan Mayor Kwak Sang-wook stated, "The Osan Food Dream Corner has expanded its operation not only to welfare centers but also to neighborhood administrative welfare centers so that users can easily access the services." He added, "The Food Dream Corner will provide not only items but also welfare consultation services together, and we will continue to operate it as a user-centered Food Dream Corner."