Dairy Support Continues for Geum-am District's Solitary Residents

A local welfare organization in Geum-am Dong, Gyeryong City, is continuing its 'Dairy Product Support for Preventing Deaths from Loneliness' project this year. This initiative aims to help neighbors living alone avoid isolation and maintain their health. Now in its sixth year, the project selects 20 priority households from single-person residents, focusing on the elderly and disabled who do not qualify for similar or overlapping programs. Dairy products are delivered twice weekly, and recipients' well-being is monitored. Dairy products with significantly reduced sugar content are provided, taking into account the health needs of the beneficiaries.

When a delivery person, known as a 'Fresh Manager,' visits twice a week and finds products have not been collected, they immediately report the potential crisis situation to the neighborhood community center. Based on this information, the community center will swiftly intervene with safety checks and welfare service consultations.

Gyeryong City anticipates that this program will comprehensively address the safety of single-person households, including middle-aged and older adults, as deaths due to social isolation have become a serious societal issue. Lee Hee-ok, the public committee chair, emphasized, "This project goes beyond simple material support; it holds significant meaning in preventing deaths from loneliness through neighborly concern and connection." The Geum-am Dong Community Security Council plans to continue delivering warmth to around 120 households throughout the year through various initiatives such as gift-giving for holidays, support for winter heating costs, and kimchi sharing, in collaboration with the local community to address welfare blind spots.