Sangmidang Holdings, the holding company of South Korea’s SPC Group, said Wednesday its Happy Foundation had donated two refrigerated trucks to regional food banks, as part of a food donation program that has operated for 28 years.
The trucks will serve food banks in Busanjin-gu, Busan, and Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, helping address delivery difficulties caused by aging vehicles and faulty refrigeration systems.
The National Food Bank operates about 440 locations nationwide, distributing donated food and household essentials to vulnerable communities.
The latest donation brings the foundation’s total to 12 trucks since 2022, with eight more planned by 2030.
A handover ceremony was held Tuesday in Seoul, and attended by Sangmidang Holdings Chairman Hur Young-in and Korea National Council on Social Welfare Chairman Kim Hyun-hoon. The company also donated 4,000 pieces of bread.
Lee Sang-jin, an official at Busanjin-gu Food Market, said the new truck would improve deliveries after its existing vehicle developed refrigeration problems.
SPC Group’s food donation program began in 1998 with Paris Croissant and Paris Baguette outlets and later expanded to include Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ stores.
Since then, the group’s affiliates and franchisees have donated food worth a cumulative 343.9 billion won ($257 million), representing about 10 percent of food bank donations nationwide as of June, according to the company.
About 1,200 outlets currently participate, contributing an average of 17 billion won annually over the past five years.
“Food donations that began in 1998 have remained a commitment for 28 years,” Hur said. “We will continue working to help build a warmer, healthier society.”
yejinlim@heraldcorp.com
