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Weekly meals for neighbors in need in Mapo

Help keep a free food pantry open for neighbors in need in Mapo.

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท Seoul, South Korea1,902 views
Si-woo Sang-hoon Bae
Email verified
Mapo
Since 2021, our volunteer team has run Community Pantry every Monday from the back of the old library basement. We started with 13 families, and now we feed 298 each week. Donations have dropped by about 59% this harvest gap, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 18 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Mapo market and keep every receipt. Each $25 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $1,650 goes: โ€ข Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,050 โ€ข Fresh vegetables and fruit: $310 โ€ข Baby formula and diapers: $290 Thanks for being kind about this. - Si-woo

Updates from Si-woo

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($650 in total) we've started the first stage. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  2. Update from Mapo: I made the first payment toward fresh vegetables and fruit. We're at 28% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  3. Quick update: $229 raised so far (14%). we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  • Theophilus Sackey ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $15
  • Joyce Esther Mussa ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $10
  • Leandro Carlos Ribeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $10
  • Colton S. Cruz ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $25

    โ€œGet well soon. Hope this covers a bit of it. - Jacksonvilleโ€

  • Leo R. Pascual ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $75

    โ€œHope things get better. Only $75 but hope it helps. - Makatiโ€

  • Jae-hyun Sun-woo Han ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $20

    โ€œBlessings. Hope you get the rest soon. - Greensboroโ€

  • Antรดnio Clรกudio Carvalho ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $10

    โ€œTake care of yourselves. Thought of Si-woo all day after reading this. - Sรฃo Pauloโ€

  • Haritha H. Anand ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $10
  • Garima W. Chopra ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $100
  • Souad Manal Metwally ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ยท $10
  • Ariana S. Thomas ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $100

    โ€œGood luck. Only $100 but hope it helps. - Durhamโ€

  • Walter Moritz Voigt ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช ยท $50
  • Afia Adjei ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $25
  • Prakash W. Kushwaha ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $10

    โ€œGod bless. I'm in Howrah, thinking of you. - Howrahโ€

  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $100

    โ€œGood luck. Hope the July deadline works out. - Surabayaโ€

  • Herman L. Villanueva ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $61
  • Lourdes D. Aquino ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $20

    โ€œHope this helps. Thought of Si-woo all day after reading this.โ€

  • Hossain Shakil Rashid ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $15
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ยท $30

    โ€œHappy to help. My colleague told me about this one. - Messinaโ€

  • Dustin Lee ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $65.50

Reviews

2.3(6 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Fajar Hadi Sutanto๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉVerified helper
    Exactly what I needed

    This experience has restored my faith in the goodness of people. The helper was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my outcome.

  • Anisa Okta Nasution๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉVerified donor
    Very responsive and caring

    The support I received was beyond what I expected. Not only did they help with the immediate need, but they also provided guidance for long-term solutions. I'm forever grateful.

  • Yolanda R. Aguilar๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝVerified donor
    Really cared about my situation

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

  • Vasyl Boris Soloviev๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆVerified donor
    Exceeded expectations

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Rima Puja Sikder๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉVerified donor
    Honest and trustworthy

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Mackenzie F. Walters๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Amazing support system

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

Questions & comments

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  • I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. We're a small family in Obuasi but we're thinking of you. All the best.

    • Is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Si-woo

      • Sure. The biggest one is rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale), $1,050. The rest is in the list at the bottom of the post and I'll upload receipts as I pay each one. It helps to be asked.

    • John B. RomeroPhoto verified

      Thinking of you, Si-woo. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. I went through something like this 12 years ago and strangers helped me out. Thinking of Mapo.

      • Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. I have a 11 year old who wants to send good wishes too. Greetings from Johannesburg

        • Kavitha L. VenkateshPhoto verified

          wishing you the best. This could happen to any of us. Thinking of Mapo

          • Thinking of you and your family, Si-woo. Hope you get there. I went through something like this 7 years ago and strangers helped me out. Thinking of Mapo.

            $924.50 raised of $1,650

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