LIHU’E — The Kaua‘i Salvation Army is making an urgent plea to the public to help keep its two soup kitchens running. Lack of sustained funding may shut down operations as early as June. Known as the Kokua Soup Kitchens,
LIHU’E — The Kaua‘i Salvation Army is making an urgent plea to the public to help keep its two soup kitchens running. Lack of sustained funding may shut down operations as early as June.
Known as the Kokua Soup Kitchens, the two commercially certified kitchens were established in Lihu‘e and Hanapepe to meet a critical need in the community. They serve hot, nutritious meals to Kaua‘i’s homeless as well as struggling families four times a week — Tuesdays and Thursdays in Lihu‘e, and Mondays and Wednesdays in Hanapepe.
Last year, the Lihu‘e Kitchen served over 6,000 meals, and the Hanapepe Kitchen has served over 2,200 meals since April 2006.
The Kokua Soup Kitchens need continued financial support to sustain its operations for the next year as public/private partnerships are being established to maintain them on a long-term basis. The Salvation Army wants to expand the Soup Kitchens’ hours of operation.
To help, send donations to: The Salvation Army Lihu‘e Corps, 4182 Hardy St., Lihu‘e, HI 96766 or The Salvation Army Hanapepe Corps, 4465 Puolo Road, Hanapepe, HI 96716. Any amount would be greatly appreciated.
In addition, The Salvation Army is applying to the Hawai‘i Legislature for a grant-in-aid to help keep the Soup Kitchens open.
“What is really important is that we get the public’s support and have them call Kaua‘i legislators to ask them to vote for the grant-in aid,” said Capt. Larry Groenleer of The Salvation Army Hanapepe Corps.
Groenleer says that this grant will be very critical in helping sustain the soup kitchens for at least two years. Kaua‘i’s legislators include:
• Sen. Gary Hooser,www.senhooser@capitol.hawaii.gov or email: senhooser@capitol.hawaii.gov
• Rep. Hermina Morita, www.repmorita@capitol.hawaii.gov or email: repmorita@capitol.hawaii.gov
• Rep. James Kunane Tokioka, www.reptokioka@capitol.hawaii.gov or email: reptokioka@capitol.hawaii.gov
• Rep. Roland Sagum, www.repsagum@capitol.hawaii.gov or email repsagum@capitol.hawaii.gov
Also included are the following legislators who chair key legislative committees:
• Sen. Rosalyn Baker, Chair, Senate Ways & Means Committee, senbaker@capitol.hawaii.gov,
• Sen. Shan Tsutsui, Vice Chair & GIA Sub-Committee, sentsutsui@capitol.hawaii.gov
• Rep. Marcus Oshiro, Chair, House Finance Committee, repmoshiro@capitol.hawaii.gov,
• Rep. Michael Magaoay, Chair, GIA-CIP Sub-Committee, repmagaoay@capitol.hawaii.gov.
For more information, contact Capt. Larry Groenleer in Hanapepe at 808-335-5441 and Capt. Mitham Clement in Lihu‘e at 808-245-2571.
