The 27-Year Journey of Sharing by Lim Seong-taek, Representative of Bucheon’s Hyang Gine Free Soup Kitchen

During the bitter cold of winter, a long line forms from the early hours of the morning in front of a free soup kitchen in the metropolitan area. Waiting for their turn against the freezing wind, most are solitary seniors living without anyone to lean on, or members of vulnerable groups struggling to make a living due to health issues. As the shadow of economic recession deepens, their survival through the winter becomes increasingly harsh. Yet, amidst this grueling daily reality, there is a place that has consistently served warm meals for over 20 years, comforting the chilly hearts of neighbors. This is the story of "Hyang Gine Free Soup Kitchen" located in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, and its leader, Representative Lim Seong-taek.

A Journey of Sharing Born from a Small Soup House, Becoming a Lifelong Mission

The connection between Representative Lim Seong-taek and the free soup kitchen dates back to January 2000. At the time, Lim, a young man in his early 30s, was running a small restaurant named "Sigol Haejangguk" (Rustic Hangover Soup) near the South Plaza of Songnae Station on the Gyeongin Subway Line in Bucheon. He began serving free meals to customers who appeared to be facing severe financial hardships. His small gesture of goodwill, born from an inability to turn away those who were hungry, grew into a much larger commitment over time. Recognizing the need for an independent space where elderly citizens with limited means could enjoy a meal comfortably without feeling self-conscious, Lim eventually opened "Hyang Gine Free Soup Kitchen" right next to his restaurant.

The sharing that began when he was a young man in his early 30s (Irip, the age of establishing oneself) did not stop as the decades passed and he reached his mid-50s (Jicheonmyeong, the age of knowing heaven's mandate). Reflecting on this journey, which has now entered its 27th year, Lim firmly states, "Hyang Gine and the free soup kitchen are my life itself. I will continue this work as long as my body allows and for as long as I can."

At 10:00 AM, the kitchen of Hyang Gine Free Soup Kitchen bustles with activity. Around ten volunteers gathered to help with the service work in perfect harmony to prepare lunch. Rice, soup, and three neatly prepared side dishes fill the food trays. An elderly visitor in her 80s who uses the soup kitchen shared, "Living alone, I used to eat half-heartedly at home with just one side dish, which felt lonely. But here, the side dishes are excellent, and eating together with others makes the food taste wonderful."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the kitchen temporarily switched to delivering lunch boxes to prevent the spread of infection. However, once quarantine measures returned to normal, face-to-face dining resumed. Currently, preparations begin at 9:00 AM, and lunch is served in four shifts starting from 11:20 AM, providing meals to an average of 150 to over 200 elderly individuals daily. The reason Lim cannot stop this work is not solely to alleviate hunger. He explains, "The reason the elderly visit this place is, of course, to have a meal, but a big part of it is also to soothe the severe loneliness and emptiness they experience spending all day alone in an empty room." In essence, the soup kitchen serves as the sole window of communication to alleviate social isolation for vulnerable elderly citizens.

Years Sustained by Private Funds and Solidarity, Recognized as a Hidden Contributor

Maintaining the soup kitchen for such a long period was by no means a smooth journey. For the first eight years, there was no external support whatsoever, meaning Lim had to shoulder the entirety of the operating costs out of his own pocket. Most of the profits generated from running his restaurant were funneled into purchasing ingredients and maintaining the soup kitchen space.

Fortunately, as his sincere efforts became known to the local community, solidarity with reliable supporters began. Since 2010, he has organized the "Hyang Gine Performance Group" every Sunday at the Songnae Station plaza to host free cultural performances and conduct street fundraising campaigns. Furthermore, about 80 of his elementary school alumni from his hometown of Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, formed the "Ten-Thousand Won Happiness Support Association" eight years ago, consistently sending a monthly donation of 500,000 KRW to share Lim’s burden. Recently, he launched a YouTube channel called "Bucheon Broadcasting" to conduct online fundraising, while simultaneously contributing to the development of Bucheon as a city of culture by serving as a music-specialized channel that provides a gateway for rookie singers and invites professional vocalists.

In recognition of these contributions, Lim Seong-taek received the Asan Award in the Volunteer Category from the Asan Social Welfare Foundation in 2015. In 2019, he was honored with the "Civil Merit Medal," an official government decoration, at the 8th National Recommendation Awards ceremony, where citizens directly discover and recommend hidden heroes. Moving beyond free meals, Lim has dynamically led the sharing culture in the local community by continuing various welfare activities, such as taking free longevity portraits for the elderly, hosting banquet parties for traditional holidays and Family Month, and supporting winter kimchi-making donations.

Financial Limits and Shortage of Hands… Institutional Support and Citizen Participation are Critical

However, behind the brilliant 23 years of dedication lie heavy financial burdens and realistic challenges that are difficult to sustain. Currently, the cost of operating Hyang Gine Free Soup Kitchen—including ingredients and shop rent—amounts to at least 10 million KRW per month. On the other hand, the official subsidy provided by the Bucheon municipal government stops at a mere 15 million KRW annually. Consequently, a significant portion of the total operating costs still relies heavily on Lim's private funds and unpredictable private donations.

The prolonged high inflation and economic downturn have caused ingredient prices to skyrocket, serving as a direct cause that tightens the kitchen’s management. Lim expresses his regret, saying, "I always want to serve better food to the elderly, but our realistic circumstances cannot keep up. Because we prepare food in large quantities, I always feel apologetic that we cannot pour undivided devotion into every single person." Along with the lack of financial resources, the decline in regular volunteers to help with the workload is another major obstacle hindering the soup kitchen's operation.

For Hyang Gine Free Soup Kitchen to maintain a stable path moving forward, it must break away from a structure that relies solely on private goodwill. Institutional support, such as increasing municipal subsidies and expanding realistic budget support, must be prioritized. Additionally, establishing regular sponsorship channels linked with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities is urgently required.

"Many people hesitate because they perceive the word 'volunteerism' as something difficult and grandiose, but once you actually start lending a hand to the small things around you, volunteering is truly easy," Lim Seong-taek emphasizes. For the warmth sparked by one individual's dedication to continue without fading, an answer from our society as a whole is now required. It is a critical time when continuous interest, participation, and a warm helping hand from citizens are desperately needed so that our marginalized neighbors do not weep from hunger and loneliness on cold winter days.

Lim bowed his head, saying, "My heart is heavy, and I always feel apologetic to the elderly who visit because I cannot provide them with a better environment and more nutritious food." A structure that relies solely on the superhuman sacrifice and dedication of a single individual to transfer the welfare of socially vulnerable groups has clear limitations. For Hyang Gine Free Soup Kitchen to remain a warm, unextinguished lighthouse of Bucheon in the future, it urgently requires expanded institutional support, along with the full attention, sponsorships, and active volunteer participation of our community members. Only when the small sincerity of individuals gathers and spreads can we finally complete a "fragrant world of living together," where no one is left behind.

[Citizen Participation Guide]

Bringing Warmth to Bucheon’s "Hyang gine Free Soup Kitchen" on the Brink of Collapse

The 23-year journey of Bucheon’s "Hyang gine Free Soup Kitchen" began with the dedication of a single individual, but making it sustainable ultimately depends on the solidarity and participation of civil society. Amid a prolonged economic downturn and rising prices, private relief organizations are facing worsening operational difficulties. This guide outlines specific ways for ordinary citizens to extend a helping hand to Hyang gine Free Soup Kitchen, categorized into three areas: financial sponsorship, volunteering, and material donations.

Ⅰ. Economic Solidarity: Regular Sponsorship & Donation Receipt Issuance Channels

Hyang gine Free Soup Kitchen is a non-profit volunteer organization registered in Gyeonggi-do (Gyeonggi No. 873) and constantly accepts voluntary financial sponsorships from citizens for underprivileged groups.

Sponsorship Application and Account Verification: You can check the official sponsorship account of the organization by accessing the official Daum Cafe ("향기네무료급식소"), which serves as its official communication channel. Setting up an automatic transfer (CMS) through your primary financial institution to ensure a set amount is transferred monthly provides the greatest help for the soup kitchen to establish a stable budget. Just like the "Happiness of 10,000 Won" mentioned by Representative Lim Seong-taek, small monthly regular sponsorships ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 won also serve as a huge pillar of support for the organization's operations.

Tax Benefits and Receipt Issuance: After transferring the sponsorship funds, you can receive a donation receipt for tax benefits. Sponsors must submit their name, Resident Registration Number (or Business Registration Number), contact information, and address by posting on the "Sponsorship Inquiries" bulletin board of the official cafe or by contacting the organization directly. Registered donation details are linked with the National Tax Service Hometax's "Year-end Tax Settlement Simplification Service" and can be used as evidentiary material for year-end income tax deductions.

Ⅱ. Active Sharing: Weekend & Weekday Volunteering Channels

Due to the nature of the soup kitchen operating 365 days a year, weekends and public holidays are the most ideal times for ordinary citizens, such as office workers and students, to participate in hands-on volunteering.

Systematic Application via the Official Portal (1365): The most recommended route is using the "1365 Volunteer Portal" operated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. After logging into the portal, set the region to "Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do" and search for "Hyang gine" under the organization name to check currently active volunteer recruitment announcements. You can choose a time slot that fits your schedule, such as preparing ingredients and serving meals in the morning, or washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen in the afternoon. Participating through this channel allows you to be issued an official "Volunteer Service Performance Certificate," which is formally recognized as supporting documentation for school admissions or employment.

Prior Coordination via the In-house Community: If using the portal is difficult, you can apply directly through the "Volunteer Application" bulletin board on the official Daum Cafe. However, since the kitchen space of a group soup kitchen has a limited capacity, you must undergo prior coordination and receive confirmation before visiting the site. When participating on-site, a mature attitude to thoroughly observe strict hygiene rules, such as wearing a hygienic cap and apron, is required.

Ⅲ. Everyday Practice: Ingredient & Material Donation Channels

The door to material donations is also wide open for citizens who find it difficult to provide financial support or spare time. This method involves supporting daily necessities immediately required for the operation of the soup kitchen.

Range of Acceptable Items for Donation: Polished white rice, ramen, and kimchi, which are consumed in large quantities at the soup kitchen, are constantly needed, as well as sauces and seasonings such as red pepper paste, soy sauce, and cooking oil. In addition, disposable items such as lunch boxes and utensils to be delivered to elderly individuals living alone, as well as hygiene products like masks and dish soap, are also useful items for donation.

How to Deliver Materials: Items you wish to donate can be shipped via courier to the address of Hyang gine Free Soup Kitchen located in Sosa-gu, Bucheon-si (20, Songnae-daero 42beon-gil, Sosa-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do), or delivered in person after contacting them in advance. Material donations can also be processed for receipts as a recognized act of donation if the value can be verified, so you may request verification from the organization upon delivery.

Just like this, small pieces of interest and action have come together to protect the embers of Hyang gine Free Soup Kitchen, which have not gone out for 23 years. We look forward to more citizens' solidarity and participation in this beautiful journey of delivering comfort that goes beyond just a single meal.

[Where to Send Your Warm Hearts]

Sponsorship Account: Kookmin Bank 285-21-0188-048 (Account Holder: Lim Seong-taek)

Email: st1005love@hanmail.net

Contact: 010-6237-4588 (Lim Seong-taek, Hyang gine Free Soup Kitchen)