Seoul city, bakery donate 2,000 'Seoul Bread' loaves to children in care ahead of Chuseok

The Seoul Metropolitan Government, in partnership with bakery company Koryo Dang, delivered 2,000 "Seoul Bread" loaves to children's residential care facilities across the city ahead of the Chuseok holiday.

The two organizations held a "Chuseok Seoul Bread Donation Ceremony" at Eden Ivill, a children's residential care facility, on Thursday. The 2,000 loaves were distributed to children living in care facilities through the Seoul Children's Welfare Association. As of this month, 1,409 children reside across 34 such facilities in Seoul.

The donation was organized as part of Koryo Dang's effort to return a portion of Seoul Bread sales proceeds to the community. Founded in 1945, Koryo Dang has been developing and selling the Seoul Bread line together with the city, with a focus on reducing sugar content.

The city and Koryo Dang launched two products in April — "Seoul Red Bean Bread," a lower-sugar take on the traditional red bean bun, and "Seoul Whole Wheat Bread," made without sugar or butter. A third variety, "Seoul Chestnut Red Bean Bread," followed in July. Combined sales of the three products have now exceeded 120,000 loaves.

"Seoul Bread, made in partnership with the city, has received strong support from residents," Hong said. "We will continue to work alongside Seoul to care for those who are often left behind."

Ma Chae-suk, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Women and Family Bureau, said she hoped the donated bread would mean more than just food. "I hope the Seoul Bread that Koryo Dang has so generously donated reaches the children not merely as something to eat, but as a warm reminder that there are people out there rooting for them and cherishing them," she said.