Cold Spell

[Anchor Lead]

The ongoing cold spell in Korea is especially hard to endure for those in need. This next place has provided free meals for the underprivileged for the past 23 years. Take a look.

[Pkg]

At lunchtime, people gather at a park. They stand in line to receive a bowl of warm noodles. It's a simple dish, but it's very precious to them.

[Soundbite] Kwon Hyuk-woo(Cheongju Resident) : "I have lunch here and play games as a pastime."

Even though it's freezing outside, the volunteers feel rewarded.

[Soundbite] Yoo Mi-hee(Volunteer) : "It's good to see people enjoying their meals. It makes me happy. That's what brings me here."

Central Park in Cheongju provides free meals to local residents and seniors year-round. The project was launched 23 years ago.

[Soundbite] Lee Chang-ho(Cheongju YMCA) : "There used to be many elderly and homeless people in Central Park. We started this to provide meals for them, and we have come this far."

About ten years ago, the government of Cheongju City began to fund the project so that some 200 people a day could receive free meals. That adds up to more than 40,000 people annually. Some volunteer groups have also recently joined to provide free lunches on weekends. Simple dishes prepared from the bottom of the heart help those in need to stay warm in the cold season.