LIHU‘E — Salvation Army Capt. Shawn Keoho said the Salvation Army will still be at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall for Thanksgiving.
In the face of the COVID-19, The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands is modifying its annual Thanksgiving week holiday meals throughout Hawai‘i, states a press release from The Salvation Army. Similarly, traditional Thanksgiving meals and outreach at the seven neighbor island Corps — Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, and Maui have been modified.
“With the generous help of corporate partners, volunteers, advisory boards, staff and Salvation Army officers, we’ve been able to shift our traditional Thanksgiving observances around the state to reach thousands of those in need in our island communities in new ways,” said Major Jeff Martin, the divisional leader for The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands. “We humbly ask the community for their continued support and encourage those in need of a meal to reach out to the Salvation Army Corps in their local community.”
The Salvation Army Lihu‘e Corps, with the help of the Kaua‘i Community College, and Gaylord’s Restaurant, will distribute 500 hot Thanksgiving meals through either a grab-and-go, or drive-thru option starting at 11 a.m., Nov. 25 at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
“We’ll still be at the convention hall,” Keoho said. “The grab-and-go will be at the front and one person with face covering can pick up for the family. The far end will be reserved for the drive-thru with each car having no more than five people, all with face masks. We’ll be starting at 11 a.m. and continuing until supplies are gone.”
Assisting the Lihu‘e Corps members will be representatives from the Hawai‘i Foodbank, Kaua‘i Branch, the Lions Clubs, and the Salvation Army Advisory Board members. Information: 245-7808.
“Hanapepe Corps will also be serving 300 hot meals on Nov. 25,” Keoho said. “They start at noon, and will have the same grab-and-go, or drive-thru option.”
The Hanapepe Corps will get help from the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, the West Kaua‘i Lions Club, the Kanaka School, the Episcopal Church of West Kaua‘i, and the Hanapepe Corps’ regular Soup Kitchen volunteers, and other community groups. Information: 335-0307.
On O‘ahu, the annual sit-down meal service for 2,000 people in Honolulu is pausing for a year and is being replaced with community outreach events and activities through the Kauluwela Mission Corps, the Kaneohe Corps, and the Kroc Center Hawai‘i that will distribute more than 3,000 meals and bentos, as well as a Thanksgiving themed drive-thru food box distribution, starting Nov. 24 and continuing through Nov. 26.
On Maui, the Lahaina Lighthouse Corps, with the help of several community churches, will be delivering 300 Thanksgiving meals to kupuna in the community on Nov. 17. They will get help from the Lahaina Rotary Club on Nov. 24 to distribute grab-and-go meals for those in need.
The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps will offer a Thanksgiving-themed drive-thru food box distribution to those with appointments made prior to Nov. 20.
The Kona Corps will be distributing 100 food boxes to community families that have demonstrated a need, and on Nov. 26, the Kona Corps and Jackie Rey’s ‘Ohana Grill will provide 300 grab-and-go meals between 10 a.m. to noon. Additionally, 350 meals will be delivered to the elderly and shut-ins.
The Honoka‘a Corps will also be delivering Thanksgiving meals to those in need in North Hawai‘i Island with the help of local community partners and volunteers.
