"Sharing Affection, Growing Hope" ... BPA Recruiting Operators for 'Hope Pantry' Program

Busan Port Authority (BPA) is seeking additional operating organizations to participate in the sharing refrigerator project ‘BPA Hope Pantry,’ where neighbors share food ingredients and affection, until July 28.

‘BPA Hope Pantry’ is a food sharing project in which residents and others donate food ingredients to sharing refrigerators installed throughout the areas near the port by the BPA labor-management council, and vulnerable households in need can take the food free of charge.

Since the first BPA Hope Pantry was opened at Dongsam Comprehensive Social Welfare Center on April 13, a total of seven locations have been established by May 22, and donations from individuals, merchants, and companies have continued, resulting in active operation.

During just over a month of operation, goods worth approximately 27 million KRW were donated, benefiting 942 vulnerable people, and currently, 29 self-support workers and local seniors are employed as ‘pantry keepers,’ creating jobs as well.

In addition, in May, the authority made efforts to link various contribution activities with the ‘BPA Hope Pantry,’ such as purchasing ingredients at traditional markets and cooking with local children to donate.

Notice for Additional Recruitment of Operating Organizations for ‘BPA Hope Pantry’

Based on the experience of operating up to the 7th location, BPA plans to expand the Hope Pantry to 20 locations this year to provide sustainable welfare services to more communities.

To this end, BPA is recruiting additional local government administrative welfare centers or social welfare centers to work together by July 28.

BPA will continue to communicate and cooperate with existing Hope Pantry operating organizations and will establish a system to connect newly selected operators with existing ones as mentors to quickly settle in by sharing experience and know-how, providing various supports without hesitation.

BPA plans to continuously expand the culture of sharing so that the Hope Pantry becomes not a one-time project but a ‘local sharing platform’ where the community itself helps neighbors.

For detailed information about participating in the project, please contact the BPA ESG Management Office by phone or email.

Kang Jun-seok, President of BPA, said, “The BPA Hope Pantry has created a culture of sharing platforms through a relay of donations from residents and business and civic groups,” and added, “We ask for active participation and interest in recruiting operating organizations to share warmth with more communities together with our authority.”

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