Faceless Angel

[Anchor Lead]

There is a so-called "faceless angel" who donates 300 bags of rice to needy neighbors every year ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. This year the holiday tradition enters its 7th year. Here’s more.

[Pkg]

In the dark early hours of the morning, a truck arrives outside a local community center. The truck is filled with sacks of rice sent by an anonymous donor. 300 sacks of rice invariably arrive at the center ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday each year. It's been 7 years already, but the benefactor still remains unknown, without so much as a face or name to match with the donation.

[Soundbite] Kim Seung-gi(Delivery Driver) : "I was just told to deliver 300 20-kg sacks of rice. I don't know the donor."

The only clue is a brief phone call that comes through just before the rice delivery. In this town, the donor is nicknamed the "faceless angel."

[Soundbite] Hyeon Byeong-gu(Community Center Director, Wolgok 2-dong, Seoul) : "The donor only calls to say that the rice should be given to low-income neighbors and senior citizens living alone. We are always grateful."

To the recipients, the gift of rice is a source of courage and motivation to live a better life, spurred on by the anonymous supporter.

[Soundbite] Lee Suk-yeong(Seoul Resident) : "The economy is bad for everyone these days. I'm so grateful for the thought behind the gift for us to eat well."

[Soundbite] Jang Mun-gyo(Seoul Resident) : "I am truly thankful. Thank you. That's all I can say. I want to meet the donor."

Additional inquiries have been pouring in from people who want to help with the rice donations, and a spirit of sharing is warming up this town despite the freezing winter cold.