Share with Homeless: How To Help Seoul’s Homeless Community
Last Updated on July 13, 2026
Every other Sunday, just outside exit six of Yeongdeungpo Station (영등포역) in Seoul, a group of volunteers gathers to hand out food and treat Seoul’s homeless community with respect and kindness. I saw firsthand what a difference this makes, not just for the roughly 180 people who show up around 5:00pm for food and supplies, but for the volunteers themselves.
Seoul’s homeless population is aging and increasingly out of sight, and it’s easy to walk past without ever wondering where people go for support. Tourists often remark that there are no homeless in Seoul, but that’s just not the case. Romank and Jan, the two organizers behind Share with Homeless, built this group to help where they could, and every two weeks, volunteers from around the world show up to help them do it.
If you want to volunteer in Seoul and support the homeless, here’s what to know:
- What To Expect When You Volunteer
- How to Get to Share with Homeless
- Basic Info To Know Before You Volunteer
- Interview with Jan and Romank, the Founders
- The History Behind Homelessness in Seoul
- FAQ
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What To Expect When You Volunteer
How To Join
All it takes is self-motivation or support to join an open chat on KakaoTalk (카카오톡), where you are instantly greeted by one of the main organizers. You can sign up through MeetUp to allow the main organizers to account for how many people may show up. This was an easy and accessible process.
Who Can Join?
There are no restrictions on who can join. Even children are welcome. Volunteers come from all over the world. Although it can seem intimidating to volunteer internationally, this organization truly appreciates the power of people showing up.
Where To Meet Share with Homeless Volunteers
You’ll meet the group at Yeongdeungpo Station (영등포역), line 1, exit 6. Walk up the stairs and you’ll feel the daylight hit your face, make a left and find a group of people of all different personalities, nationalities, races, and religions come together to make a difference to those in need.
Meeting the Volunteers and Organizers
Reflecting back, when meeting up with the group I was instantly welcomed and greeted with smiles. One of the main organizers, Jan, instantly approached me and introduced himself, allowing me to know I was right where I needed to be.
That relief lifted a huge weight off my shoulders as I’d been nervous about coming alone, but I quickly forgot I had, since everyone was so easy to talk to.
It would’ve been easy to stick to small talk, but what stood out was how people wanted to hear each other’s stories: where everyone was from, how they were feeling. I didn’t know anyone beforehand, but that didn’t matter. Showing up was what counted, for the unhoused and for myself.
At the Volunteer Site
Before handing out food, Jan and Romank gather everyone into a circle to run through what the day will look like, where we’ll set up, what the volunteer jobs are, and how to communicate if something comes up. Jan emphasized that sometimes the homeless people may react in a negative manner, however if anyone feels uncomfortable, voice that to Jan or Romank who will step in immediately.
My first time, I didn’t know quite what to do, passing out food felt daunting with so many people moving quickly. Jan noticed and asked if I wanted a different job instead, so I became a photographer, capturing the volunteers and organizers in action. I was aware that homelessness looks different everywhere, but to what extent?
What I did not realize was how much visual storytelling takes place, as an outsider seeing the acts of giving back to the community. I witnessed people having this drive into wanting to give back to the community, as humans with stories, struggles, and need for human connection by showing kindness and respect.
The second time I joined, I jumped straight into handing out food, and it felt completely different. Making eye contact and passing items with two hands is a small but meaningful way to show respect, and handing bread to someone and actually seeing them made the biggest impression on me.
By the end of each gathering, once the line is gone and the boxes are empty, there’s a quiet, peaceful moment before everyone cleans up together and takes a group photo.
How to Get to Share with Homeless (Yeongdeungpo Station)
- Address: 846 Gyeongin-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 경인로 846)
- Meet at Yeongdeungpo Station, Line 1, Exit 6
Directions: After tapping out of the ticket gates, follow the bright yellow signage where directional arrows point to exit 6, pass the underground entrance to Lotte Department Store and head to your left, pass the clear doors, to stairs located in the left corner and continue walking up the stairs till you reach the top of the stairs.
Basic Info To Know Before You Volunteer
Every two weeks on Sunday, volunteers gather from 4:45 to 5:00 pm to introduce one another before the main event runs from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, when Jan and Romank lead volunteers in preparing food and drinks for the homeless population. Each gathering, attendees receive cup noodles, bread, laver packs, choco pie, sausages, a cool drink, and sometimes clothes or hygiene items, behind Yeongdeungpo Station.
Volunteering here is a social interaction as much as an act of kindness, the homeless population Share with Homeless supports may deal with alcoholism, stress, and harsh weather conditions, and donations help keep the group’s supplies (and the group itself) running.
Interested?
- Meetup: meetup.com/sharewithhomeless
- Facebook: facebook.com/groups/sharewithhomeless
- Instagram: @sharewithhomeless_seoul
- Kakao group chat: open.kakao.com/o/gHiaJFlf
Interview with Jan and Romank, Founders of Share with Homeless
Before you started this volunteering program, what experience did you have with helping homeless people?
Jan: “I joined an organization, called KUMFA (Korean Unwed Mothers’ Families Association), which supports unwed moms and their children. After a few years, I felt the desire to get involved more in managing a volunteering group.”
Romank: “I had served the elderly and children with disabilities.”
Why did you decide to start this program in Yeongdeungpo?
Jan: “In December 2024, I came across the ‘Share with Homeless’ group on the Meetup app and joined a gathering for the first time. That’s where I met Romank, who had been running the group since 2022. I was impressed by how Romank, who spoke limited English, encouraged foreigners to hand out food and drinks to the homeless people at Yeongdeungpo Station. On top of that, he also spent his own money on buying supplies. After that first meeting, I offered him my help and since then we’ve been running the group together.”
Romank: “Seoul Station has the largest number of homeless people in Seoul, followed by Yeongdeungpo Station.”
Is there any particular experience you have had while helping the homeless that made you think, “Wow I did it, I have achieved what I wanted”?
Jan: “With more volunteers, also new opportunities came. The French International school in Seoul organized a Christmas charity event for our group, parents from Dwight International School and Yongsan International School collected clothes for the homeless and Jam Improv Seoul organized a comedy show and donated the profits to our group. Together with the financial support from our volunteers and from PLUR (a group which supports the homeless at Seoul Station), we now have a healthy financial balance sheet. This has given us the opportunity to provide more items to the homeless, like bread, choco pie, cup noodles, roasted eggs, laver packs, sausages and a drink.”
What do you feel when you work with the volunteers?
Jan: “We believe that volunteering is more than doing some repetitive actions. While the number of volunteers has grown, so has the number of homeless people increased a lot. Where we handed out food and drinks to 100 homeless people 18 months ago, we now provide support to 180 homeless people. It is with your help that we can keep the group running.”
Romank: “These participants are all angels. I’m so grateful to them. I want them to just come without any purpose, and they enjoy it.”
Is there anything that you’d like volunteers to know before they sign up?
Jan: “No one has ever become poor by giving. It only makes your life richer.”
Do you have a message for any potential volunteers out there?
Jan: We hope to meet you soon!
Romank: There are people everywhere in the world who need a warm heart. They need you.
The History Behind Homelessness in Seoul
Between the 1960s and 1980s, Korea’s shift toward manufacturing brought a wave of factories and jobs, driving demand for housing sharply upward. To meet that demand, the government deregulated financial institutions, making it easier for banks to fund long-term housing projects with short-term foreign loans.
Unfortunately that approach unraveled in 1997, when global investors withdrew their funds and South Korea plunged into the IMF Crisis. The government defaulted on its debt, requiring a $58.3 billion bailout, and the won’s value collapsed alongside the stock market.
In 1998, recovery came in the form of South Koreans donating their personal gold belongings, a reform of massive corporations called chaebols (재벌) to focus on what they do best, and using high-speed internet and tech startups, which is a core part of the current economy.
The crisis also triggered mass layoffs, pushing many working-class and older adults into poverty and, for some, into homelessness. Divorce and business failure remain other common contributing factors.
Who Is Considered Homeless in Seoul?
Officially, homelessness in Korea refers to adults 18 or older living in temporary or rehabilitation facilities, in welfare centers, or on the street. A lack of affordable housing means 41% of people in homeless shelters are 65 or older, and living in jjokbang (쪽방, low-cost subdivided rooms) has become common.
On average, people experience about four years of homelessness, relying on public subsidies (47.8%) and government self-support programs (37.6%), though many still face hardship even with that support. From 2026 to 2030, South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare plans a Third Comprehensive Plan for Homeless Welfare and Self-Reliance Support, aimed at strengthening income assistance and social services after program support ends.
Who Is Excluded As Homeless?
This definition excludes migrants, refugees, children, and women in facilities that aren’t officially classified as homeless welfare centers, even if their housing is inadequate. Housing insecurity data may show a decline over the past three years, but that doesn’t capture everyone actively experiencing homelessness.
That gap in how homelessness is defined can make it seem less visible than it is. Having a roof over your head doesn’t always mean stable housing, and everyone in that gap still needs care and support.
FAQ
How often does Share with Homeless meet?
The group meets every two weeks on Sunday, gathering from 4:45 pm to introduce everyone before handing out food and drinks to the homeless population from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Yeongdeungpo Station.
Where do I meet the group?
Meet at Yeongdeungpo Station (영등포역), Line 1, Exit 6. Follow the yellow signage toward exit 6, pass the underground entrance to Lotte Department Store, head left past the clear doors, and go up the stairs to street level.
Do I need to sign up in advance?
Yes. Join the open Kakao group chat and sign up through MeetUp so the organizers, Jan and Romank, can plan for how many volunteers to expect that day.
Is there a cost to volunteer?
No, volunteering is free. Donations are welcome and help the organizers restock supplies like food, drinks, and hygiene items for future gatherings.
Do I need to speak Korean to volunteer?
No. Volunteers come from all over the world and in Korea, and organizers Jan and Romank communicate with the group in English as well as Korean.
Can children volunteer?
Yes, there are no restrictions on who can join, and children are welcome to take part alongside adult volunteers.
What will I actually be doing as a volunteer?
Tasks vary by week and can include handing out food and drinks, unboxing and organizing supplies, preparing drinks, or taking photos. Organizers give a rundown of the day’s tasks and assign roles when you arrive.
What do volunteers hand out to the homeless community?
Items typically include cup noodles, bread, laver packs, choco pie, sausages, a cool drink, and sometimes clothes or hygiene-related items.
How many people does Share with Homeless support?
Around 180 individuals experiencing homelessness gather near Yeongdeungpo Station each event to receive food and supplies.
Is there a similar volunteering opportunity elsewhere in Seoul?
Yes. PLUR hosts a similar food distribution for the homeless population at Seoul Station every Sunday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Homelessness in Seoul isn’t always visible to visitors, but it exists. The people behind it Share with Homeless, Jan and Romank, have built something that meets people where they are and volunteering to be apart of the group is easy. You don’t need any special skill or experience to show up, just a willingness to be there. If you’re in Seoul and looking for a way to give back, exit six of Yeongdeungpo Station is a good place to start.
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