Gwangyang Steelworks 'Hope Root Volunteer Group' Spreads Love with Side Dishes for 8 Years

Started Side Dish Delivery Volunteer Service in 2015 for Neighbors' Healthy Meals

Citizens, Organizations, and Companies United with One Heart and One Mind...

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks Hope Root Volunteer Group (Leader Choi Chung-han) delivered side dishes to neighbors in need on the 15th, in collaboration with social welfare organizations in Gwangyang City and local restaurants.

The 'Hope Root Volunteer Group' was founded in March 2012 by employees of the Quality Technology Department at Gwangyang Steelworks to carry out various sharing activities that provide practical help to local residents. Currently, 92 volunteers are active in the group.

Additionally, to ensure neighbors who are not in a suitable condition to prepare meals can have healthy and hearty food, the group started delivering side dishes to neighbors in the Gwangyang area in 2015.

The volunteers utilize their days off from shift work to deliver side dishes to the homes of disabled families and neighbors in need in Jungma-dong on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, and in Gwangyang-eup on the second and fourth Thursdays.

In particular, the Quality Technology Department employees work together with Jungma Disabled Welfare Center and Gwangyang Disabled Welfare Center, while nearby local restaurants provide the side dishes, making this a meaningful collaboration where citizens, institutions, and companies share warmth with one heart and mind.

Recognizing this spirit of sharing socially, the Hope Root Volunteer Group received the 'Korea Sharing National Award' last November, which honors exemplary individuals and organizations in society.

In this recent side dish delivery, 14 volunteers carefully packed and delivered seasoned vegetables, kimchi, and more to 20 households near Jungma-dong.

A citizen who received the food said, “Thanks to the volunteers who always bring the food personally, I can have a hearty meal,” and added, “I am grateful to the Hope Root Volunteer Group members who deliver side dishes with warm smiles every time.”

From January to October this year, the Hope Root Volunteer Group has practiced warm neighborly love by delivering meals 34 times, with a cumulative participation of 897 people this year.

Choi Chung-han, leader of the Hope Root Volunteer Group, said, “I believe this volunteer activity is a moment when all residents of Gwangyang City come together as one, beyond simply delivering food,” and added, “We will continue to carry out volunteer activities and practice the spirit of sharing.”

Gwangyang Steelworks continues various activities aiming for mutual growth with the local community, such as delivering about 20,000 kimchi through the ‘Love Kimjang Kimchi’ event and providing the ‘Modu愛 Meal Truck’ to alleviate hunger.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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