Photo By Monica Guthrie | Staff Sgt. Dwayne Cooper, with 2nd Infantry Division, receives a plate of food from...... read more read more
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — Inside the reception barracks the intercom speaker crackles, telling of a forthcoming message.
“Attention in the barracks, attention in the barracks,” a voice says, “At 5:20 they will be serving free food on the first floor.”
Within minutes Soldiers line the wall of the first floor, the shuffling of their feet mixing with the aroma of Korean bulgogi. Cpl. Samuel Gbalipre, with 194th Division Sustainment Brigade, joins the line of Soldiers waiting for a dinner. It’s Gbalipre’s first time to Korea and during his time inprocessing at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys he has been able to enjoy the free dinner twice.
“As somebody who is a single Soldier, it’s actually really nice to have meals like this,” Gbalipre said. “It feels welcoming."
Providing a warm welcome is exactly what Inkyeong Yun hopes Soldiers feel when they come to the Newcomers Meal. Yun is a member of the Agape worship service on Humphreys and serves as the ministry coordinator. She and a small team of volunteers provide a Korean meal every Thursday at the reception barracks for approximately 80 service members just arriving to Korea.
“The Korean food is to welcome them to the country and introduce them to the culture,” said Yun.
The weekly meals began before the COVID-19 pandemic, and for some time took place in Army lodging on Humphreys. During COVID the program wilted, however once restrictions were lifted Yun said the program shifted to prioritize unaccompanied service members just arriving to Korea.
“We thought, if we want to serve single Soldiers we need to find a convenient spot for them,” said Yun. “So we moved to the inprocessing barracks.”
Yun said the 19th Human Resources Company provided the group with two living quarters within their barracks (building 6390) where volunteers are able to store items and cook food. Amy Stillwell, a member of the Common Grounds worship service, has been a volunteer with Agape kitchen for a few months, oftentimes arriving hours before mealtimes to begin cooking. Stillwell said her desire to serve stems from her childhood: she was born at Yongsan in Seoul, South Korea, and attended grade school on the installation there.
“It’s important to me to serve the community - it’s kind of like home for me,” said Stillwell. “I think it’s important to give to the people who serve here.”
Weekly meals take place Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m. and volunteers are welcome to come and assist with cooking, serving, meeting and engaging with service members or cleaning afterward. Yun said their greatest needs are finding those willing to serve as well as gathering non-perishable items such as plates, forks, water and soda. Those who are interested in volunteering can reach out to AgapeHumphreys@gmail.com.
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2023 19:02 |
| Story ID: | 456639 |
| Location: | CAMP HUMPHREYS, GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], KR |
| Web Views: | 189 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldiers in Humphreys’ reception barracks given warm welcome, Korean food, by Monica Guthrie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
