Seoul Community Chest distributes heat-relief kits for vulnerable residents

The Seoul Community Chest of Korea is committing 1 billion won ($646,000) to distribute summer welfare kits to heat-vulnerable residents across the city.

The organization said Monday it held a kit handover ceremony and volunteer assembly event at the Seodaemun Senior Welfare Center in partnership with the Seoul Association of Senior Welfare Centers. Each kit contains 15 items worth about 80,000 won, including cooling products such as a summer blanket and arm sleeves, as well as nutritional food.

About 40 people took part in assembling the kits, including Shin Hye-young, secretary-general of the Seoul Community Chest; Shin Jae-won, chairman of the Seoul Association of Senior Welfare Centers; Lee Dae-won, director of the Seodaemun Senior Welfare Center; and Kim Yu-ri, head of Seodaemun-gu Home Care Services for the Elderly. Honor Society members — donors to the Seoul Community Chest — and other volunteers also participated.

The project is part of the "2026 Hope Summer Sharing Campaign" and aims to deliver approximately 14,000 kits to vulnerable residents across all 25 of Seoul's autonomous districts. Of the total 1 billion won budget, kits worth 250 million won will go to elderly residents in need in 10 districts through the Seoul Association of Senior Welfare Centers. In the remaining 15 districts, local implementing organizations will provide customized kits tailored to each area's welfare needs and circumstances.

"We are grateful to the Seoul Community Chest and all the volunteers for helping us provide essential support to elderly residents who are especially vulnerable to extreme heat," Shin Jae-won said. "We will work closely with local senior welfare centers to ensure the kits reach those who need them as quickly as possible."

Shin Hye-young, secretary-general of the Seoul Community Chest, said the organization remains committed to reaching residents who fall through the cracks of the welfare system. "With another summer of severe heat expected this year, we hope these kits help our heat-vulnerable neighbors stay healthy and safe," she said. "The Seoul Community Chest will continue working with local communities to identify welfare blind spots and build a Seoul where no one is left behind."

Meanwhile, the Seoul Community Chest is running the "Woori Seoul, 2026 Hope Summer Sharing Campaign" for 31 days from June 15 to July 15. Donations collected through public participation will go toward supporting heat-vulnerable residents, identifying welfare blind spots and helping neighbors in need during the summer months. Residents can donate by visiting their local community center, calling the ARS hotline, accessing the Seoul Community Chest website, or scanning the QR code on campaign posters or using kiosks.