THE KUKMIN DAILY

“The minus 17 degrees Celsius temperature will feel lower than minus 20 degrees.” The national weather forecast for the morning of December 17 froze our bodies as well as our hearts. For the 100,000 energy-poor households that depend heavily on external support, among the total 168,000 households using yeontan (anthracite coal briquets), this winter threatens to be particularly harsh, as yeontan donations to the Yeontan Bank have reached only half the amount recorded in December last year.

Rev. Heo Gi-bok, representative of the social welfare foundation Table Community and Yeontan Bank, explained on December 16, “So far, we have received donations of 1.6 million yeontan, while our campaign target for this winter is 3 million. Compared to the average year, when donations reach around 4.5 million by yearend, this year’s amount is running way too short.” Individual donations have increased a little, while group donations by both corporations and churches have decreased. Households using yeontan in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do are feeling particularly anxious, because their regions’ branches have received much fewer donations than others among the 31 national branches of the Yeontan Bank

There are various ways to donate to the Yeontan Bank. The minimum amount of donation is 500 won (approx. 0.5 US dollar), the price of one yeontan briquet. It costs 50,000 won to support the installation of a new gas exhaust pipe in one home, and 200,000 won for a new yeontan boiler for one household.

In the photo, Yeontan Bank volunteers pose with singer Sean, called “donation angel” in recognition of his frequent contributions, on November 25 in Baeksa Village, Nowon-gu, Seoul, before they set out to deliver yeontan to needy households.

Reporter Jaechan Park (jeep@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)

Photo courtesy of Yeontan Bank

◇ Donation Inquiries

- Website: babsang.or.kr

- Telephone: 1577-9044

- Bank Account: Industrial Bank of Korea 002-934-4933 (account holder: Yeontan Bank)


Click here for the original article in Korean

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