LIHU‘E — Leaders of The Salvation Army Kokua Soup Kitchen opened their doors in November, and in about two months since they first welcomed diners to a free hot meal, the announced expansion to twiceweekly, hot this week the meal
LIHU‘E — Leaders of The Salvation Army Kokua Soup Kitchen opened their doors in November, and in about two months since they first welcomed diners to a free hot meal, the announced expansion to twiceweekly, hot this week the meal service.
Gene Redden, one of two kitchen coordinators at The Salvation Army Lihu‘e Corps site, said that leaders at the Lihue Lutheran Church have adopted a lunch program which will enable the kitchen to offer hot lunches weekly starting Thursday, Feb. 10.
The “adoption” program involves providing volunteers as well as a financial commitment which will go towards funding a parttime coordinator as well as purchasing food that the Kauai Food Bank cannot provide.
Capt. Mitham Clement of The Salvation Army said the Lihue Lutheran Church leaders have committed for at least one year, which allows the certified kitchen at the Lihu‘e Corps site on Hardy Street to fire up for lunches once a week for at least a year.
Under terms of the agreement, Lihue Lutheran Church officials will participate by volunteering their services to the Kokua Soup Kitchen in Lihu‘e for meal preparation, serving, and cleanup of the midday meal that is available to Kaua‘i’s homeless and needy communities.
“We appreciate the opportunity to work with The Salvation Army’s Lihu‘e Corps Community Center in this worthwhile endeavor, and are looking forward to our partnership starting Feb. 10,” said the Rev. Paul Kirchner of the Lihue Lutheran Church.
Redden and Clement expressed hopes that when other organizations see this commitment by Lihue Lutheran Church leaders, they will in turn step forward to allow more hot meals to be served to people in need.
Currently, the Kokua Soup Kitchen features a weekly hot dinner on Tuesdays between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Redden, who along with Jerry Gastineau serve as kitchen cocoordinators, said that since they first opened, they’ve served an average of over 20 people each week.
“It’s like a fourstar meal,” Gastineau said as he watched the volunteers pull together elements of the Tuesday supper.
Volunteers who turn out to help the kitchen coordinators are the backbone of the program, as they help prepare, serve, and provide fellow ship for diners walking in the door at the 5 p.m. serving time.
On Tuesday-night’s supper, Alice and Donald Dunn where just two of those volunteers. “We just sold our place here, and we’re going to move to Idaho,” Alice Dunn announced as she pondered the evening’s softdrink menu.
Ernest and Marion Wilhite were another couple who said this was their second time volunteering at the kitchen, the couple having heard about the opportunity through their church’s bulletin board at the Lihue United Church of Christ.
“We couldn’t do this without them (the volunteers),” Redden said. “They make it all work.”
The Salvation Army Kokua Soup Kitchen intends to reach out to disadvantaged families living in parks and on beaches, those living in transitional housing, and lowincome families and seniors who have limited food resources.
But, Clement pointed out that anyone in need is welcome to have a meal.
Help is still needed to keep the Kokua Soup Kitchen going, and Clement noted that people are welcome to contribute in the following ways: monetary contributions, food supplies, paper and plastic products, cleaning supplies, and volunteers to help prepare, set up and clean, and vehicles to transport people if necessary.
Redden also pointed out that work is ongoing to get the kitchen at the Hanapepe Corps certified so officers there can initiate hot meals at that site once the kitchen has been approved.
The Kokua Soup Kitchen is a collaborative effort between officials at The Salvation Army, Kauai Food Bank, community businesses, service organizations, schools, and churches as well as individuals.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 2453681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
