“They love it,” said Salvation Army Capt. Mitham Clement. As if to reinforce these words, a happy chatter from the approximately 50 volunteers working in the kitchen of the Salvation Army in Lihu’e was only interrupted by occasional laughter, as
“They love it,” said Salvation Army Capt. Mitham Clement.
As if to reinforce these words, a happy chatter from the approximately 50 volunteers working in the kitchen of the Salvation Army in Lihu’e was only interrupted by occasional laughter, as busy fingers and hands made short work of preparing the 1,000 lunches that is the highlight of the annual Salvation Army community lunch.
A similar scene was being repeated in the Hanapepe office of the Salvation Army. Clement said the volunteers there were working to feed an anticipated 350 people.
Volunteers started working Tuesday morning “to get everything done,” he related.
In addition to the 1,000 lunches, Clement said, the volunteers also prepared 300 Thanksgiving meals to be distributed by the Kaua’i Economic Opportunity Meals on Wheels program to those who couldn’t make it down to Kaua’i War Memorial Convention Hall for Wednesday’s sit-down lunch.
The work of feeding islanders who might not otherwise be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings wasn’t limited to the lunch. The Salvation Army, working with various social services agencies and their own food pantry service, distributed over 250 Thanksgiving baskets to families not participating in Wednesday’s event.
Clement credited the massive undertaking to the diligence of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, whose members work with organizations and businesses to help organize the event.
It was one board member in cooperation with Foodland Stores and the Hanalei Gourmet who provided the bulk of the 50 turkeys required for the festive lunch, and another board member working with Ching Young Village Bakery and Camp House Grill who came up with the 100 pumpkin pies for dessert.
The Kaua’i Marriott Resort cooks baked the turkeys, as they have done for many years, and the Hyatt Regency Kaua’i Resort and Spa worked with the Hanapepe Corps to have their turkeys baked in time for the lunch.
Following the ceremonial cutting of the turkey by Kaua’i County Mayor Maryanne Kusaka, food service began, with singer Larry Rivera providing entertainment.
“It is truly a community lunch,” Clement said. “It is a true showing of the aloha spirit.”
Staff photographer Dennis Fujimoto can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) and mailto:dfujimoto@pulitzer.net
