LIHUE — After weeks of educators looking into the windows, Kumu’s Cupboard announced its grand opening will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Kukui Grove Center. Kumu’s Cupboard, a nonprofit agency which provides school supplies to Kauai public, private, and charter
LIHUE — After weeks of educators looking into the windows, Kumu’s Cupboard announced its grand opening will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Kukui Grove Center.
Kumu’s Cupboard, a nonprofit agency which provides school supplies to Kauai public, private, and charter school teachers and educational staff at no cost, joins the family of more than 50 merchants at its location across from the Deli and Bread and Connection near the Macy’s women’s wear store.
“We are excited to support Kauai’s teachers with much-needed school supplies,” said Wade Lord, Kukui Grove general manager. “We couldn’t be more proud to work with Kumu’s Cupboard to grow this support even further. Education is an important cause for Kukui Grove because when we work together to provide tools to help improve education, we can help improve our community and the future of Kauai’s keiki.”
During its recent renovation work to the administrative offices, Kukui Grove donated a lot of new, surplus office supplies to the Kumu’s Cupboard location.
Donations of money and supplies are welcome, either in person at the store, or online at www.kumuscupboard.org.
“Volunteers to help with the store are most welcome,” said Robyn Keawe, a Kumu’s Cupboard volunteer. “When the store opens, we’ll be initially open on Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m., Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.”
Elyse Litvack, Kumu’s Cupboard founder and co-president, said they received a bunch of art supplies from a local artist who was relocating off-island. Additionally, they were recipients of a $5,000 matching grant award from The Grove Farm Company during the volunteers’ holiday gift-wrapping campaign at Kukui Grove. “We were busy,” Litvack said. “I think I spent 27 hours wrapping gifts over a 48-hour period.”
Kumu’s Cupboard also received help from Subaru Hawaii during the Back to School Bash hosted by Kukui Grove when a Subaru was strategically located for its “Fill the Subaru” campaign.
Litvack said the vision of Kumu’s Cupboard is to provide educators with free materials to help them teach students.
Kumu’s Cupboard also offers an opportunity for educators to connect with community members for materials and resources not normally stocked in the store.
Info: www.kumuscupboard.org.
