AHUKINI — David Chung, the team leader for The Salvation Army ARC program, was concerned Friday because the team will not be back on Kaua‘i until January 2022.
“This is the last time we see you until next year,” Chung said. “We’re going to be very busy with The Salvation Army in Honolulu so we won’t have the monthly ARC donations until January.”
The absence of the program for December may have been a reason for the steady stream of cars and trucks flowing through the Kaua‘i Resource Center with items for reuse.
“We’ve already filled three shipping containers of material for shipping off-island,” said Shantelle Rego, the project manager for the county’s Solid Waste Division. “Last month, we had two shipping containers. Each of the containers holds an average of about 16,000 pounds of material, so this month that’s nearly 50,000 pounds of material that would otherwise end up in the landfill.”
Arriving Wednesday, Chung said the ARC team had a big pick-up to do in Ha‘ena while other members remained at the KRC to pack and make room for the Friday collection.
“When we started the collection, this morning, the guys were packing right into the container,” Chung said. “Now that it’s full, we’re working in the storage area.”
Within two hours of the scheduled opening, Chung said the team had processed 150 cars, a larger amount than the 80 cars processed during the October donations event.
The Salvation Army ARC monthly donation event returns to the Kaua‘i Resource Center on Jan. 14, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents, businesses, and other organizations can bring in unwanted or unneeded items for reuse, including clothing, small furniture, children’s toys, books, and shoes. Clothing and textiles do not need to be in good condition. Torn or stained clothing is acceptable.
Prohibited materials include eWaste, chemicals, appliances, or broken items.
The county encourages people to check with their local thrift stores to see if they are able to take donations before bringing items to the KRC.
The ARC also offers pick-up services to thrift stores and businesses. Groups wishing this service can call 808-241-4336 to schedule service.
Individuals that would like home pick-up service can call the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 808-335-6105, or RP’s Random Closet at 808-346-0020. Please note that RP’s Random Closet is a for-profit agency.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
