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Responders have served over 500 meals and drinks to residents and their families.
The Salvation Army is continuing its response to residents affected by a recent condominium fire in Honolulu, Hawaii, raising over $21,000 to date.
“A crisis at home can be overwhelming for residents and reality can just be setting in; that’s why we are continuing to help in the coming weeks,” said Anna Stone, Director of The Salvation Army’s family services office and Pathway of Hope. “Not only do residents have immediate needs of daily food, shelter, and emotional and spiritual care, they also have extended financial needs in terms of rental assistance and basic items. And, thanks to strong community support, we are able to assist and care for residents as needed.”
The Salvation Army has also provided rental assistance, food, clothing, and emotional and spiritual care to the impacted residents. So far, response teams have distributed over 500 meals and drinks, 72 toiletry kits, 32 bags of groceries, 50 comfort bears, six baby bags, and other living necessities.
“In addition to the monetary donations we’ve received, we’re so grateful to the many organizations, companies, and volunteers that have stepped up to help assist the residents and first responders as we provided assistance in the building lobby,” Stone said.
Among the organizations providing in-kind assistance include: Aloha Harvest delivering daily pre-cooked meals; Down to Earth supplying healthy groceries; Dunkin’ Donuts distributing breakfast sandwiches and donuts; Good Bears of the World, Aloha Den giving comfort bears to young children; Keeaumoku Walmart donating bottled water; Kokorotei providing bentos; Royal Kitchen preparing dinners; and Wine and Canvas holding a fundraiser to provide toiletries, linens and bottled water.
The Salvation Army reached out to one of its long-time community partners Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts to house displaced families, Stone said. The State of Hawaii has also stepped up by waiving the transient accommodations tax on the rooms, which helps further the assistance The Salvation Army can provide.
