Background

The JPIC committee of the province of KOC has been considering, for all members of the province, how to go beyond each one’s apostolates and reach out to the poor neighbours around them. The committee found a homeless soup kitchen called Thomas' House not too far away from the RSCJ communities. Any RSCJ can go as a volunteer whenever they want, without contacting them in advance. The contribution of RSCJ to Thomas' House is irregular; in general three RSCJ help out through the week and during holidays, they tend to take over from volunteers. 

Thomas' House has been providing free lunches for the poor and marginalized since 1986 with the motto of "Bread is life". Thomas' House was the first free food service center in Korea, established by the then Catholic priest of Yeongdeungpo-dong Catholic Church in collaboration with Catholics.

Korea suffered a severe IMF in 1997-1998, and since then, many people have become homeless, and the aftermath continues to this day. As the long-standing extended family culture is dismantled and the lifespan of the elderly is getting longer, the number of elderly living alone is gradually increasing. The Covid outbreak has taken a huge economic hit, especially for the homeless and the elderly living alone, and it has brought psychological instability as the situation where people cannot see each other continues.

 

Objective

  • Provide food to the homeless
  • Be in solidarity with the poors. 

 

Activities

Thomas House is famous for the food quality its "restaurant"; it went viral in various places in the metropolitan area of Seoul, resulting in an increase in the number of meals. Thomas' House is operated with the support of groups and individuals without the help of the government or local governments, and about 15 to 20 people, including Catholics, social groups, companies, and individual volunteers, are serving meals. 

  • Supply of food on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturday: 
    • Sharing of rice balls: from 9:30am to 12:30pm
    • Restaurant meals: from 11:00am to 1pm (work in the restaurant starts at 10am)

During Covid restrinctions Thomas' House had to limit its face-to-face supply of meals (restaurants) and invite users to bring their own bag to collect food (rice balls, ramen, fruit, drinks, eggs, rice cakes, etc.).  

  • Cleaning up
    • Cleaning up of premises after food supply 
  • Cooking meals
    • Simple meals (rice balls) 
    • Elaborate meals are cooked by volunteers coming on regular base
  • Second hand cloth distribution
  • Beauty session
    • Hair cuts (Friday)

 

People being served

People being served : People who are marginalised

Age group : Adults 26-60, Seniors 61-99

Number of participants : 101-250

Schedule

Project status : Ongoing

Staring date : 01/11/2020

Collaborations

  • Collaboration type : In kind/voluntary

    Collaboration with : Province

    • RSCJ volunteering
    • The province of KOC provides in kind support : eggs, fruit, masks, clothes, shoes and bags.

Images

Overview

Society presence : Korea/Chinese

Focus of the project : People

JPIC Imperative : Washing One Another’s Feet

UN Sustainable Development Goals : 1 No Poverty, 10 Reduced Inequalities, 2 Zero Hunger