[Food Scene Changed by High Prices] Homeless People Flock In... 20% Increased Food Costs at Free Meal Centers

Crowds Gather in Front of Free Meal Centers
Food Ingredient Prices Soar... Cooking Oil Recently Quadrupled
High Prices Make Food Quality Inevitable
"If Many Help, a Virtuous Cycle Is Possible"

Around 11 a.m. on the 28th, the area in front of the 'Dail Welfare Foundation Bapppun Sharing Movement Headquarters' located in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, was crowded with elderly people and homeless individuals waiting for free meals.
Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

By 11 a.m. on the 28th, the area in front of the 'Dail Welfare Foundation Bappeo Sharing Movement Headquarters' located in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, was bustling with people. About 500 elderly and homeless individuals gathered to eat the free lunch served once a day. The side dishes that day included duck bulgogi and soybean paste soup, and people were satisfied with the meal composition. However, the staff at the Dail Welfare Foundation wore worried expressions. Due to high inflation, they no longer have the capacity to provide good meals. A representative from the Dail Welfare Foundation said, "With prices soaring rapidly, buying food ingredients has become a burden," adding, "They say prices may rise further, so we are concerned."

As the era of high inflation continues, private free meal centers providing meals to the homeless are facing difficulties. There are concerns that the quality of food for the homeless may deteriorate or that donations may stop due to worsening economic conditions.

Since April 18, the Dail Welfare Foundation has been serving regular meals to the elderly and homeless, but recently the prices of all food ingredients have risen, causing financial strain. Not only visible items like meat and vegetables but also oil, salt, and seasonings have all increased in price. A representative from the Dail Welfare Foundation lamented that the price of cooking oil has recently increased three to four times. The amount spent this month to provide meals to about 500 homeless people daily reached a staggering 50 million won.

The situation is similar for other private free meal centers. 'Chamjoeun Chingudeul,' which provides free meals to the homeless in Jung-gu, Seoul, also complained that food items that could be purchased for 1 million won in the past have decreased by nearly 20% within a month. Shin Seok-cheol, director of Chamjoeun Chingudeul, said, "We still have the capacity to provide good meals to the homeless," but added, "If high inflation continues, a decline in food quality is inevitable." There are also concerns that if the economy worsens further, donors who have supported them may stop coming.

Private free meal centers say that support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government is not a significant help. This year, Seoul's budget for providing meals to low-income elderly people is about 34.8 billion won, a 12% increase from the previous year. For senior citizen cafeterias, the unit price has been set at 4,000 won from the 1st of this month, and the budget is being supported accordingly as a measure against rising prices. However, private free meal centers explain that they do not feel the impact of the city's support. One private free meal center said, "Only about 20% of the total meal recipients receive support from the city, so the gap between the budget and the actual situation on the ground will widen."

Despite the high inflation situation, private free meal centers expressed gratitude for the continued help from citizens. A representative from the Dail Welfare Foundation said, "Although the economy is difficult these days, there are citizens who continue to donate without stopping," adding, "If more people help, we can create a virtuous cycle in society."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.