Shinhan Financial Group will spend 10 billion won ($7.2 million) over three years on "Just Take It," a program that provides food and household necessities to people struggling to make ends meet. The group has more than doubled the funding from an initially planned 4.5 billion won as it works to close gaps in the welfare safety net.
Shinhan Financial Group has decided to provide a total of 10 billion won through 2027 for the program, which it runs jointly with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, according to financial industry sources on the 26th. The group had originally planned to provide 4.5 billion won over three years under a memorandum of understanding with the ministry, but raised the amount to 10 billion won as demand in the field grew and the need for expansion became clearer.
"Just Take It" offers food and household necessities to people whose livelihoods have been disrupted by sudden job loss or a drop in income, without income screening or complicated application procedures. Visitors to program corners set up at food banks and community service centers can receive three to five items each, including rice, instant noodles and canned goods, after identity verification. President Lee Jae-myung has praised the group's support for the program, calling it "something to be grateful for" and saying it "deserves applause."
The group's role extends beyond handing out goods to identifying households that fall outside the welfare system. When users return to a corner, on-site counseling connects them to services they need, such as basic livelihood benefits or emergency welfare support. In March, Shinhan Financial Group signed an agreement to link households in crisis identified through "Just Take It" with "With Shinhan in Times of Crisis," an existing corporate social responsibility program. That program provides up to 3 million won for living, medical, education and housing costs to households in crisis that have gone unserved by welfare programs.
The program is expanding quickly. Services are now offered at 280 "Just Take It" corners nationwide, installed at food markets, food banks and community service centers.
Shinhan employees have also joined the effort in person. In June, about 50 group employees assembled 1,000 sharing kits of food and household necessities for delivery to program sites. "We will continue to strengthen cooperation with the government and local communities to help reduce gaps in the welfare system," a Shinhan Financial Group official said.
