A Day in the Kitchen: Volunteering to Serve Warmth in Seoul
On an arid June morning in Seoul, we found myself walking into a community center with my sleeves rolled up and my heart wide open. It was our first day volunteering for a local lunch service program that provides free, home-cooked meals to elderly residents and low-income individuals in the neighborhood.
We weren’t sure what to expect, but we quickly learned that behind every tray of food was a small story of dignity, care, and connection.
Preparing More Than Just Food
Our day started early. By 9 a.m., the kitchen was already warm with steam and quiet conversation. Volunteers, some students like us, others retirees with years of experience, gathered around stainless steel tables, peeling radishes, chopping onions, and slicing tofu. We were assigned to help with vegetable preparation for the side dishes: bean sprouts, kimchi, seasoned spinach, and japchae, a sweet potato noodle stir-fry that many of the elderly guests looked forward to.
There was a rhythm to the work, almost meditative. No one was rushing, but everyone moved with quiet purpose. One older volunteer told us, “Don’t just cook and think about who you’re cooking for.” That moment stuck. It reminded us that this is a way of showing respect to the people we were serving.
The ingredients were mostly seasonal and locally sourced, from nearby markets and farms in Gyeonggi-do. We used cabbage, Korean radish, and perilla leaves which are simple ingredients that, when carefully prepared, became something nourishing and familiar.
Serving with a Smile
Around 11:30 a.m., the first guests arrived, mostly elderly citizens, their faces weathered with experience. As we placed each tray in front of them, we made sure every item was balanced: rice, soup (usually a mild seaweed or soybean paste soup), three side dishes, and a piece of fruit (Jeju tangerine).
Some guests bowed deeply in thanks. Others simply smiled or said “잘 먹겠습니다 (Thanks for providing a meal).” One elderly woman told us that this was the only warm meal she would have that day. That hit harder than we expected. We realized how something often taken for granted—a proper lunch—was, for others, a precious gift.
What stood out most wasn’t just the food, but the atmosphere. There was soft music playing in the background. People were chatting, some laughing. It felt like a family gathering, despite most people being strangers.
Reducing Waste, Respecting Food
After the meal, we also took part in clean-up. All food scraps were collected and weighed to track waste. Leftovers were minimal thanks to careful planning. Even the water used for rinsing vegetables was reused for cleaning floors or watering plants outside. I realized how much thought goes into not just preparing the meal, but ensuring that the process leaves a small environmental footprint.
We also discussed the importance of seasonal eating, supporting local agriculture, and practicing food responsibility. Many of the volunteers shared tips on how to cook with less waste and preserve ingredients better—wisdom that came from years of living simply and sustainably.
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