The Church of God Free Meal Service
The Church of God has consistently provided free meal services to bring comfort and hope to neighbors in times of national disasters and accidents. Starting from the 1995 collapse of the Sampoong Department Store, where the Church of God provided meals and hot soup on-site to rescuers, the church has continued its tradition of setting up free meal camps at disaster sites such as the Daegu subway fire, the Sewol ferry sinking, the Pohang earthquake, and more across the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as Korea). These efforts aim to offer heartfelt and warm meals for those affected by various disasters. By taking care of the physical and mental well-being of not only disaster victims but also government officials, local authorities, rescuers, and other volunteers, the Church of God played a crucial role in facilitating a swift return to normalcy for all those involved.
Free Meal Service at the Site of the Daegu Subway Fire Incident
The Daegu subway fire incident occurred on February 18, 2003, around 9:53 a.m., by the arson committed by a man within the premises of Jungangno Station in the central district of Daegu, Korea. As a result, 198 lives were lost, 148 people were injured, and a total of 12 subway cars were engulfed in flames.[1] The sudden tragedy plunged not only the bereaved families but the entire nation into shock and grief. Deeming it a special disaster zone, Daegu declared a state of emergency. The disaster response headquarters, centered around the mayor, was established to coordinate efforts. The situation room, the joint memorial service hall, waiting rooms for the families of victims and missing people were set up at the Daegu Citizens’ Hall. The authorities focused on assessing the extent of the damage and engaging in on-site recovery operations.[2] The Citizens’ Hall bustled around the clock with the families of victims, disaster recovery personnel, mourners, and volunteers. In an effort to console grieving families and assist those affected, the Church of God initiated free meal services.[3]
| The Church of God’s Free Meal Service at the Site of the Daegu Subway Fire Incident | |
| Period | February 21–April 15, 2003 |
| Location | Citizens’ Hall in Jung-gu, Daegu |
| Content | Providing free meals for 55 days (Operational 24 hours) |
| Volunteers | The members from the Church of God in Daegu |
| Beneficiaries | Bereaved families, disaster response headquarters personnel, volunteers from other groups, mourners, etc. |
| Scale | An average of 3,000 servings per day |
Activities
On February 21, the free meal camp was established at the Citizens’ Hall parking lot in Jung-gu, Daegu, adjacent to the disaster response headquarters. Over 40 members from the Church of God in Daegu volunteered to provide warm meals for 24 hours every day. Subsequently, as the camp expanded, from March 2 onwards, an average of more than 3,000 servings were provided per day by the efforts of over 130 church members every day.[4] The church members purchased fresh ingredients from the early morning market, and cooked dishes such as yukgaejang, various side dishes, and fruits. They warmly served these meals to the bereaved families, other volunteers, officials from government agencies and the media, and mourners. The free meal camp operated for 55 days, concluding on April 15.[5]
The media reported that the service provided by the Church of God became more than just a warm meal, offering solace and comfort to those in grief.[6] The church members approached each bereaved family member who had stopped eating, and persistently encouraged them to have meals. The bereaved families gradually found solace in the heartfelt comfort and empathy shown toward their pain. “The meals were delicious, but above all, we were comforted by their sincere kindness,” they expressed their gratitude to the church members.[4]
Disbandment of the Camp
On April 15, the Church of God free meal service team concluded its 55-day mission. At the disbandment ceremony, Kim Gi-ok, the then Vice Mayor of Daegu, and Yoon Seok-gi, the representative of the bereaved families, expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the team’s dedicated efforts. The then Vice Mayor Kim Gi-ok expressed deep appreciation, saying, “I’m truly grateful to the Church of God for wholeheartedly providing free meals to the bereaved families and mourners, which is something that should have been done by the city of Daegu.”[7]
One month after the disbandment ceremony, on May 14, 2003, in celebration of Food Safety Day, the Ministry of Food and Drug Administration presented citations to six volunteer organizations, including the Church of God. The citation recognized the church members’ outstanding volunteer spirit and for providing hygienic free meals to those in need, thereby contributing to the assurance of safe dietary practices. Lee Jeong-sik, the then Director of Daegu Regional Office of the Ministry of Food and Drug Administration, conveyed the citation, expressing special gratitude to the Church of God, saying, “Observing how you served the bereaved families and mourners, I felt a deep sense of respect. I am especially thankful for the sincere and high-quality free meals provided, without a single incident of food poisoning.”[8]
Free Meal Service at the Site of the Sewol Ferry Sinking Incident
On April 16, 2014, the ferry Sewol, en route from Incheon Coastal Passenger Terminal to Jeju Island, sank off the coast near Jindo, South Jeolla Province, Korea. It was a major disaster, with 304 out of the 476 passengers losing their lives or going missing.[9] The search operation continued for 209 days until November 11, 2014.[10] After the incident, Paengmok Harbor became a base where the bereaved families, rescue and search operation personnel, and officials involved in accident response were stationed. The Church of God members from Mokpo, Yeonggwang, Naju, Suncheon, and Jindo, initiated the free meal service on April 21 by setting up a camp near the Paengmok Harbor comprehensive accident response headquarters on April 20.[11]
| The Church of God’s Free Meal Service at the Site of the Sewol Ferry Sinking Incident | ||
|
1st Service |
2nd Service | |
|---|---|---|
|
Period |
|
|
|
Location |
Paengmok Port→Jindo Indoor Gymnasium | Jindo Indoor Gymnasium |
|
Content |
Providing free meals for 44 days, and cleaning temporary accommodation | |
|
Volunteers |
Members from the Church of God in Mokpo, Yeonggwang, Naju, Suncheon, Jindo, etc. | |
|
Beneficiaries |
Bereaved families, officials and civil servants from the central disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters, volunteers from other groups, rescuers, military personnel, police officers, etc. | |
|
Scale |
Providing an average of 300–1000 servings per day: a total of 15,000 servings. | |
Activities
- 1st Free Meal Service
The Church of God’s free meal camp was initially set up at Paengmok Harbor, led by female members, and operated 24 hours a day. Male members, too, temporarily suspended their jobs or took leaves to help them in shifts. Every day, church members came to the camp in the early morning, preparing a variety of dishes including bulgogi and various side dishes. Volunteers from other groups, rescuers, media representatives, and anyone else could visit at any time to have a warm meal. With word spreading that “it tastes like a meal made by a mom,” the number of visitors to the camp increased, with around 1,000 people coming each day. As the camp space became limited, on May 1, the camp was relocated to the open space in front of the Jindo Indoor Gymnasium, where temporary accommodations were arranged for the bereaved families.[11]
The church members, in between their meal service, provided sincere comfort through silent acts of service, such as cleaning temporary accommodations and offering warm towels to the bereaved families. For those enduring the agonizing moments amid sorrow, the church members prepared nutritious porridge such as abalone porridge and oyster porridge. Additionally, they decocted Sibjeon Daebotang (a traditional Korean herbal medicine) and personally delivered it to the bereaved families. The free meal camp continued until May 9.[12]
- 2nd Free Meal Service
As the search for the missing prolonged, other volunteer groups withdrew one after another. In response, the South Jeolla Provincial Office requested the Church of God to continue providing meals for the families of the missing, other volunteers, military personnel, police officers, and government officials. Compelled by the compassion for the bereaved families and officials who were growing weary day by day, the church members resumed the free meal service with one accord at the Jindo Indoor Gymnasium on August 13.[13]
With wholehearted meals, the church members conveyed hope and courage to both the families of the missing and the other volunteers. The volunteers expressed their appreciation, saying, “The food is delicious and fresh, but we were more moved by the kindness of the Church of God members.” They mentioned that they were able to work harder and serve joyfully thanks to the tasty meals.[12]
Disbandment of the Camp
On September 19, the Church of God held the free meal camp disbandment ceremony. Approximately 80 people, including Lee Joo-young the Minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Son Young-ho the Vice-Governor of Jindo County, Lee Sung-tae the Director of South Jeolla Province Volunteer Center, and other volunteers who remained at the site, visited the Church of God’s camp to express their gratitude. Minister Lee Joo-young personally encouraged each of the church members who participated in the volunteer service, saying, “The Church of God taking charge of the dining facility was a great source of strength. The food was delicious, and the volunteers were incredibly warm and kind in their service, receiving positive feedback from everyone. I am deeply grateful to you, and I will remember your warmth forever.”[14]
Vice-Governor Son Young-ho remarked, “I’ve felt that from the preparation to providing meals, you are accustomed to volunteering in your daily lives. You’ve taken care of what needed to be done in Jindo County on our behalf.” Volunteer Team Leader Jang Gil-hwan said, “For the well-being and trauma prevention, both the bereaved families and the volunteers needed a space where they could find comfort and laughter.” He thanked on behalf of the families of the missing and the volunteers, saying, “The Church of God came and provided great comfort.”
The church members responded, “We simply shared the love we received from God, but as time passed, we were encouraged all the more, witnessing the victim families gaining strength, saying thank you.” They then expressed the joy of being able to volunteer, saying, “It was truly fulfilling.” Bidding farewell to those who had been with them like their own family, the church members earnestly wished that such a tragedy would never happen again, and that the bereaved families would find comfort in God’s love and gain new life and hope. Thus, the Church of God concluded a total of 44 days of free meal service.[12]
Free Meal Service at the Site of the Pohang Earthquake
On November 15, 2017, a 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck Pohang in North Gyeongsang, Korea. Since the start of domestic earthquake observations in 1978, it was the second-largest earthquake following the Gyeongju earthquake in 2016.[15] The earthquake caused damage to roads, water supply systems, railways, ports, cultural heritage sites, etc. There were approximately 1,500 evacuees and 92 injuries reported.[16][17]
The government declared Pohang City as a special disaster zone and directed full efforts toward formulating measures, recovery from damages, and support for the affected residents. Alongside financial support, the Church of God extended a compassionate hand to the earthquake victims through the free meal service.
| The Church of God’s Free Meal Service at the Site of the Pohang Earthquake | |
| Period | November 21, 2017–January 31, 2018 |
| Location | Heunghae Indoor Gymnasium (Temporary shelter for Pohang earthquake victims at the time) |
| Content | Providing free meals and cleaning temporary shelters for 61 days |
| Volunteers | Members from the Church of God in Pohang, Yeongcheon, Gyeongsan, Gyeongju, etc. |
| Beneficiaries | Pohang earthquake evacuees, government officials, volunteers from other groups, reporters, etc. |
| Scale | Providing a total of 12,500 servings |
Activities
On November 21, the Church of God set up a free meal camp next to the Heunghae Indoor Gymnasium, where evacuees took shelter. The church members from Pohang, Yeongcheon, Gyeongsan, Gyeongju, and other areas provided warm meals to the earthquake evacuees who were having difficulty securing regular meals. The visitors to the free meal camp included not only earthquake evacuees but also government officials, volunteers from other groups, and medical staff. The church members organized teams and prepared meals for 300 to 400 servings each day. Despite the cold weather, they purchased fresh ingredients every morning and cooked rice and soup. To ensure the health of the evacuees, they took the opportunity during their free meal service to clean the areas of the shelter. They also packed meals for the elderly with limited mobility and delivered them personally. One elderly person expressed gratitude, saying, “Just by looking at one side dish, I can feel their sincerity. They treat us like their own parents, and so it is bearable to be away from home.” Another elderly person who could not sleep at night after the earthquake said, “I lost my home and hope. Yet, since many people comfort me, I’m appreciated and consoled. Since volunteers worry about me as if it were their own pain, I will regain my strength and stand on my feet again.” On December 19, the Church of God General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol visited the free meal camp. He encouraged the church members who were dedicating themselves to comforting and serving the disaster victims, and donated 100 million KRW (approx. 93,460 USD) of relief funds, the contributions from the Church of God members, to the Pohang Municipality. Expressing gratitude, Deputy Mayor Choi Woong said, “We very appreciate your free meal services and financial contributions. Thanks to your overwhelming support, we will be able to work hard to establish earthquake safety measures.’[18]
Disbandment of the Camp
Even as the year changed, the Church of God’s free meal service continued for a total of 61 days until January 31. Providing a total of over 12,500 meals, it served as a source of comfort for the residents of Pohang in their time of grief. On January 31, the free meal camp disbandment ceremony was held to conclude two months of camp operations. At the ceremony, approximately 300 people attended, including Pohang City officials, volunteer teams, the Village Head of Heunghae, and earthquake-affected residents. Jeong Yeon-dae, Director of the Welfare Department at Pohang Municipality, expressed gratitude, saying, “Despite the cold weather, your dedicated volunteer service has greatly helped the disaster victims overcome challenging times.” Yoon Young-ran, Overall Director of Pohang City Earthquake Recovery Volunteer Team, remarked, “Seeing volunteers consistently preparing warm meals with a caring heart made me reflect on the warmth of a united community.” She said, “It was beautiful to see people striving for their struggling neighbors in a world where even taking care of one’s own family can be challenging.”[19]
On February 7, 2018, the Church of God was awarded the Group Citation from the Minister of the Interior and Safety at the Earthquake Response Volunteer Awards Ceremony held at Pohang City Hall. It is a citation for the dedicated volunteer efforts that contributed to the national disaster recovery. Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-deok presented a citation to the Church of God General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol.[20]
Free Meal Service at the Site of the Yeosu Oil Spill Accident Response
On January 31, 2014, a Singaporean oil tanker attempting to dock at the Yeosu Oil Terminal 2 caused an accident while trying to berth, resulting in the damage of oil pipelines. As a result, approximately 160 kiloliters (approx. 42,268 gal) of crude oil leaked into the sea from the damaged oil pipelines. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries mobilized over 250 civilian and government vessels to initiate the accident recovery efforts.[21]
As the spilled oil flowed toward the coastal areas of Namhae County, local residents, including the elderly, actively participated in the cleanup efforts. In the cold weather, members from the Church of God in Sacheon and Namhae planned to provide free meals for the residents and officials who were working day and night in response to the oil spill. On February 17, members from the Church of God in Sacheon and Namhae visited Gumi Village in Deokwol-ri, Nam-myeon, Namhae County, providing lunch for 100 residents.
Park Jeong-ae (81), who participated in the cleanup efforts, expressed, “While the weather is cold, the hot beef soup is so delicious. I’m very thankful and grateful for providing us with warm meals.” An official from the Changwon Maritime Police Station remarked, “It feels like the warm beef soup, prepared by the volunteers from the Church of God, is melting both the frozen body and heart. The elderly who suffered damage were physically and emotionally exhausted, but it seems they are finding a bit of peace through your efforts.”[22]
See also
- World Mission Society Church of God
- The Church of God’s Community Service Activities
- Emergency Relief by the Church of God in Korea
References
- ↑ [Korean History] In 2003's Daegu, disaster plays out underground, The Korea Herald, October 11, 2023
- ↑ Twenty Years on, No Closure in the Daegu Subway Disaster, The Blue Roof, March 13, 2023
- ↑ Running 24-hour Volunteer Service for Daegu Tragedy, WATV News, February 21, 2003
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Church of God Leads Volunteer Efforts in Daegu Tragedy, WATV News, March 2, 2003
- ↑ "Sorry we have to wrap up for Resurrection Day," Daegu Ilbo, April 14, 2003
- ↑ We’re going anywhere to share love, Daegu Newspaper, July 4, 2015
- ↑ “Sorry we have to wrap up for Passover”, WATV News, April, 15, 2003
- ↑ Church of God Recognized by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, WATV News, May 14, 2003
- ↑ 4.16 Ferry Sewol Tragedy, 4.16 Foundation
- ↑ Sewol ferry finally completes dry docking, now to search for missing victims, Hankyoreh, April 12, 2017
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 [Sewol Tragedy] World Mission Society Church of God Serves Free Meals at Pangmok Port, Kyeongin, May 15, 2014
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Warm Meal with Mother’s Love Comforts and Gives Hope, WATV News, September 19, 2014
- ↑ [Sewol Tragedy] Church of God Serves Meal for Sewol Tragedy, Kyeongin, August 21, 2014
- ↑ Church of God Wraps Up Free Meal Camp at Sewol Tragedy Site, Kyeonggi, September 22, 2014
- ↑ Powerful earthquakes strike Pohang; tremors felt across the country, The Korea Times, November 15, 2017
- ↑ Rapid recovery at five points of damaged highway bridge, KBS News, November 17, 2017
- ↑ Victims, damage continue to rise two days after Pohang earthquake, Yonhap News Agency, November 17, 2017
- ↑ Free Meal Service and Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims in Pohang, Korea, English WATV, December 19, 2017
- ↑ Church of God Comforts the Victims with Warm Meal, Aju News, February 1, 2018
- ↑ 60 Days of Free Meal Service, Recognized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, The JoongAng, February 7, 2018
- ↑ Oil spill spreads in waters off Yeosu, The Korea Herald, February 2, 2014
- ↑ [Religion] From Taean to Pangmok Harbor, filled with love where there was pain, Kyeongnam News, June 24, 2015