LIHU‘E — The Kokua Soup Kitchen program, administered by the Salvation Army, Lihu‘e and Hanapepe Corps, serves upwards of 2,000 meals a week in six meals, said Salvation Army Envoy Larry Groenleer, Wednesday. “This is amazing,” said Kaua‘i County Council
LIHU‘E — The Kokua Soup Kitchen program, administered by the Salvation Army, Lihu‘e and Hanapepe Corps, serves upwards of 2,000 meals a week in six meals, said Salvation Army Envoy Larry Groenleer, Wednesday.
“This is amazing,” said Kaua‘i County Council Chair Bill “Kaipo” Asing during the recognition of the Army for its Salvation Army Week which will be celebrated from Monday through Friday. “The county can’t do everything and we depend on organizations like the Salvation Army to survive.”
The Kokua Soup Kitchen in Lihu‘e provides hot dinners on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. and lunches on Thursdays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. The Hanapepe Corps offer dinner on Mondays, lunches on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Drawing on Asing’s comments of not being able to do everything, the Salvation Army relies on community volunteers to be able to make the Kokua Soup Kitchen Program a success.
Last year, more than 22,225 less fortunate individuals on Kaua‘i were served by The Salvation Army through the physical provisions of food, shelter, household items, clothing, utility assistance as well as spiritual enrichment, states a mayoral proclamation issued Thursday by Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
During Salvation Army Week, all volunteers from the Kokua Soup Kitchens, the Thrift Stores, Thanksgiving Luncheon, Red Kettle bell ringing, Angel Trees, Food Pantry and other volunteers will be honored at a mahalo luncheon, Thursday at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center, states a release from the Army.
“We want to be able to thank the community as a whole for the support it shows us,” said Envoy Larry.
For the first time this year, the Kaua‘i Salvation Army will be offering a Volunteer of the Year award, one for the Lihu‘e Corps and one for the Hanapepe Corps.
The Lihu‘e Lutheran Church will be honored for its work with the Lihu‘e Corps kitchen from the inception of the program and the Kalaheo Missionary Church will be acknowledged for its work with not only the Hanapepe Corps’ Kokua Soup Kitchen, but the Food Pantry program as well.
“Whenever there is a need, the Kalaheo Missionary Church organizes a food drive for the Pantry,” said Katie Beer, a Salvation Army Board member, in a release.
Salvation Army Envoy Joy Groenleer announced the appearance of the Salvation Army Singing Company for a special performance, May 15 at the Kukui Grove Center stage from 5 p.m.
The Singing Company, under the directorship of Crystal Nakamaejo, the Salvation Army Divisional Music Director and a former Hawai‘i Stars participant, is open to children ages 7 through 12 who have an interest in music.
The May 15 performance is in preparation for traveling to O‘ahu at the end of May for a competition.
Another aspect of the week-long celebration is discounts at the Thrift Stores in both Hanapepe and Lihu‘e said Lt. Sarah Smuda of the Hanapepe Corps, getting a comment from Kaua‘i County Council member Tim Bynum on how integral a role the Salvation Army Thrift Store plays in the reduce, reuse and recycle program on the island.
During Salvation Army week, all clothing will be discounted 50 percent.
The Salvation Army’s only business on Kaua‘i for the past 113 years, as in everywhere, is still human business, undertaken with joy for the family of humankind, and through sound, innovative and professional services, The Salvation Army serves the people of Kaua‘i with unshakable faith in all, states the mayoral proclamation.
For more information on the Salvation Army or any of its week-long celebration, call Groenleer at 245-2571, or Smuda at 335-5441.
