Global Economic Times

Samcheok Senior Welfare Center, in Partnership with Wooyang Foundation, Provides 'Nutritional Porridge' to Vulnerable Seniors: HONG MOON HWA Senior Reporter / Updated : 2025-05-30 09:28:35

Samcheok Senior Welfare Center (Director Eom Ki-dae) has been selected for the '2025 Wooyang Foundation Nutritional Porridge Support Project,' contributing to the health promotion of vulnerable seniors in the region by delivering warm nutritional porridge. This meaningful sharing initiative, a collaborative effort between the Wooyang Foundation and CJ CheilJedang, aims to address nutritional imbalances and support healthy senior living for elders whose chewing and digestive functions have weakened due to aging.

Customized Support to Address Nutritional Imbalance in the Elderly

As society ages, the health issues of the elderly have become a social concern. Many seniors, especially those facing dental problems or weakened digestive functions, struggle to maintain a balanced diet, often leading to severe nutritional imbalances. This frequently results in weakened immunity and exacerbated chronic diseases, significantly diminishing their quality of life.

Based on this awareness, the Samcheok Senior Welfare Center selected 14 seniors from their customized elderly care service recipients who were identified as urgently needing nutritional porridge support. Most of these seniors live alone or face economic difficulties that make meal preparation challenging, and this support ensures they receive healthy meals.

The nutritional porridge is specially formulated to be easily digestible and provide a balanced intake of necessary nutrients. One senior who received the porridge expressed deep gratitude, saying, "I often skipped meals because I had trouble digesting food, but thanks to the warm and soft nutritional porridge, I feel full both in body and mind." The project's significance is even greater as it not only provides meals but also helps seniors regain emotional stability and vitality.

Synergy Effect Through Collaboration with Private Organizations

The 'Nutritional Porridge Support Project' is a shining example of the active social contribution of the Wooyang Foundation and CJ CheilJedang. The Wooyang Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to various welfare projects for the underprivileged, while CJ CheilJedang, as a food specialist, fulfills its corporate social responsibility by providing high-quality nutritional porridge.

The Wooyang Foundation has a particular interest in improving the dietary lives of vulnerable populations and has operated various food support programs. This nutritional porridge initiative is one of the foundation's key activities, and collaboration with a specialized company has enabled more effective support. CJ CheilJedang ensured the quality and safety of the nutritional porridge products, taking great care so that seniors could consume them with peace of mind. This close cooperation between a welfare foundation and a corporation is regarded as an exemplary case that maximizes the role and synergy of the private sector in solving social problems.

Eom Ki-dae, Director of the Samcheok Senior Welfare Center, stated, "We are deeply grateful for the meaningful support from the Wooyang Foundation, which has enabled us to deliver heartfelt nutritional porridge to seniors in our community." He added, "We will continue our efforts for the health and happiness of seniors." Director Eom's remarks emphasize the welfare center's ongoing commitment to improving community welfare and demonstrate its resolve to extend a warm hand to more seniors through collaboration with private organizations.

Importance of Expanding Samcheok City's Senior Welfare Infrastructure

Samcheok City is one of the regions with a high aging rate, which further highlights the importance of senior welfare services. The Samcheok Senior Welfare Center operates various programs to ensure a healthy and vibrant senior life for the elders in the region. It contributes to improving seniors' quality of life by providing comprehensive welfare services, including revitalizing senior community centers, health promotion programs, leisure and cultural activity support, and encouraging social participation.

However, given that many vulnerable seniors still remain in blind spots, the expansion of individualized welfare services like this nutritional porridge support project is crucial. Furthermore, since the welfare center's efforts alone cannot solve all problems, it is becoming increasingly important to establish a community solidarity and cooperation system involving various entities such as local governments, local businesses, and civic organizations.

Moreover, long-term measures are needed to address nutritional issues among the elderly. Rather than merely one-time support, an integrated approach is required, including expanding meal delivery services, strengthening nutrition education programs, and supporting dental care to improve chewing ability, all to ensure seniors can consistently have healthy meals. The Samcheok Senior Welfare Center's nutritional porridge support project has served as a reminder of the importance of such senior welfare services, and it is hoped that the entire community's attention and efforts will continue so that more seniors can enjoy a healthy and happy old age.