LIHUE — To say the crew at Kumu’s Cupboard is excited about its new home is an understatement.
“This is like being in heaven,” said Robin Keawe, Kumu’s volunteer coordinator and board member. “We have so much more space to work with. We can take out and display all those items that were previously just packed in boxes.”
Kumu’s Cupboard volunteers were busy Friday getting the store in order following the move from their previous location, adjacent to Macy’s, to the new space, which is adjacent to the Great Harvest Bread Company in the Kmart complex.
“This is about 2,900 square feet,” said Elyse Litvack, Kumu’s president. “That’s nearly double the space we had before. We’re excited about being able to continue our service to Kauai’s educators. We’re also excited about the new areas we are planning to add to expand our services.”
One of those areas include the establishment of a non-consumable lending service for teachers.
“The program will have items such as microscopes, science and mathematics tools, musical instruments and other items not normally stocked in schools,” Litvack said.
Kumu’s Cupboard is also adding a Teacher Resource Center, also stocked with items not normally found at schools.
“These include a laminator, a die-cut machine and a comb binder, to start,” Litvack said. “This will be a great area where educators can work on a project and socialize with other teachers.”
Funding for the Teacher Resource Center is ongoing with a matching challenge Stanny Foundation grant through the month of July. Contributors will have their donations matched to a ceiling of $2,500.
“Teachers have told us they need a place like this,” Litvack said.
Keawe said there are about 500 teachers registered with Kumu’s Cupboard.
Kumu’s Cupboard will also offer new hours when it opens July 6. Tuesday and Friday hours are from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday will be 1 to 4.
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Dennis Fujimoto can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com
