The streets are filled with the festive spirit of Chuseok, but not everyone welcomes the holiday with the same joy. For those who spend the holiday alone or face financial and social hardships, the festive season can be a difficult time. For people who fall through gaps in the social welfare system, the holiday can deepen both loneliness and financial strain.

According to surveys conducted by South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family between 2023 and 2024, covering single-parent families, multicultural families, and older adults, vulnerable groups face a wide range of emotional, financial, and physical challenges during holidays. Older adults living alone often struggle with loneliness and health concerns, while single-parent and grandparent-headed families may find holiday preparations and caregiving responsibilities especially burdensome. Multicultural families may also experience homesickness and difficulties adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings.

To offer encouragement and support to neighbors in need, the International WeLoveU Foundation (WeLoveU) carried out its “2026 Sharing the Warmth of Chuseok With Our Neighbors” initiative from September 7 to 17, 2026. Through 68 local government offices across South Korea, the organization delivered food packages to 1,400 households, sharing warmth and compassion during the holiday season.

Each gift box was packed with 21 food items, ranging from essential ingredients for traditional holiday dishes, such as Korean pancake mix, frying mix, and sesame oil, to convenient and nutritious ready-to-eat meals, including beef bone soup, spicy beef soup, and chicken porridge.

WeLoveU members visited local government offices to deliver the holiday gifts to officials working to improve community welfare. They expressed their hope that the packages would be passed on to neighbors in need.

Yoo Jin-hwan, Head of Jageum-dong Community Service Center in Uijeongbu, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am truly grateful to the International WeLoveU Foundation for donating supplies to residents of Jageum-dong every year. We will make sure these gifts are delivered to people facing difficult circumstances.” Min Jeong-won, Director of the Welfare Policy Division in Seongnam, also warmly welcomed WeLoveU members and said, “We will make sure these gifts reach neighbors who are in need of warmth and support.”

Several local governments shared news of WeLoveU’s Chuseok food assistance initiative on social media, expressing their commitment to helping neighbors enjoy a warm and abundant holiday.

Some WeLoveU members also visited neighbors’ homes to deliver the holiday gifts in person. Residents came to their doorsteps to greet the members warmly, while older adults living alone were especially happy to welcome visitors. Some held the members’ hands tightly and spent time talking with them.

Heartwarming Changes Through Chuseok Sharing

The warmth of human connection grows with every act of sharing. This Chuseok, why not reach out to your neighbors with a warm greeting and share some food with them? Even small but sincere gestures of care can give someone the strength to get through a lonely time.

With a mother’s love, WeLoveU will continue bringing warmth to the everyday lives of our neighbors as we strive to create a world where no one is left behind and everyone can live happily.