It all started with raincoats. A few weeks ago, Este Grinpas of Kapa‘a and a friend were sitting outside of Starbucks on a rainy day in Kapa‘a, chatting and drinking coffee. Anna B., a homeless woman, who chose to omit
It all started with raincoats.
A few weeks ago, Este Grinpas of Kapa‘a and a friend were sitting outside of Starbucks on a rainy day in Kapa‘a, chatting and drinking coffee.
Anna B., a homeless woman, who chose to omit her last name for privacy reasons, approached them.
“She asked if we wanted to help buy raincoats for the homeless,” Grinpas said. “We gave her some money and she went into the ABC Store and came out with 18 raincoats.”
Grinpas and Anna then started talking. Anna said the raincoats were nice, but thought it would also be nice if they could provide Christmas dinner to the homeless. Grinpas agreed.
Seventeen homeless people in Kapa‘a were approached and asked what they would like to eat for Christmas dinner if they had that wish. They all agreed: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.
Yesterday, they received their wish and then some. Tables brimmed with holiday staples: turkey, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing and rolls.
There were other tables, too, piled high with brightly wrapped presents and goodie bags.
Bob Hallman, pastor at the Calvary Chapel in Kapa‘a, said Anna was behind the whole thing.
Hallman said Anna approached him a few weeks ago and asked if they could do a wish list for the homeless. He agreed.
The homeless put their wishes on index cards provided by Anna. Instead of big things, they wanted blankets, pillows, bus passes and socks, Hallman said. After those wishes were granted, Anna wanted to put together a Christmas dinner.
“This is Anna all the way,” Hallman said as he surveyed the scene yesterday. “She’s a little spitfire.”
In one week’s time, Anna went to local stores and businesses to see if they would donate food and gifts for the party. Community members also pitched in. Grinpas sent out an e-mail to some friends and word spread rapidly.
And the end result was yesterday’s relaxed atmosphere, which resembled an extended family gathering. A football was tossed around and people sat at tables talking, eating and laughing. All the while, Christmas music played softly in the background.
Later, gifts were exchanged and everyone was treated to a hula performance and a show from Love Tribe, a drumming group.
“This totally just came out of the community,” said Kat Van Kirk of Kapa‘a, who helped put the event together. “If it goes well, we will do it again. It’s about as community-oriented as you can get.”
But Anna doesn’t want to take any credit for the success of the Christmas dinner.
“It was God’s doing,” she said. “Give God the glory. God has serious promises for those that help the poor.”
• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com.
