Salvation Army mobilizes to provide meals for Hilo apartment complex residents still without power
There are 220 residents, many kūpuna and veterans, who have been without electricity because of impacts caused by Hurricane Lala, which wreaked havoc on the Big Island two weeks ago.
The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division mobilized to provide food for struggling residents who are experiencing a prolonged power outage after 2 weeks following Hurricane Lala.
More than 200 people will be provided daily meals from The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps for up to 7 days or until power is restored, whichever comes first, meeting a Hawaiʻi County call to support relief efforts.
Needs at the complex are only compounded as many of the residents are kūpuna and veterans with additional care considerations.
“We are fortunate to be able to call on trusted and tested community partners such as The Salvation Army during and in the aftermath of disasters, who can quickly mobilize to support changing and complex recovery needs,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda in a release from The Salvation Army. “As we work to resolve this issue as soon as possible, enabling residents without power to have the certainty of a warm meal is vital.”
The meal service activation to the apartment complex comes just as power was restored to Nāʻālehu and Pāhala, two of the communities hardest hit by the hurricane, with temporary shelters closing and feeding operations at these hubs concluding.
More than than 5,000 meals and food boxes have been delivered by The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division throughout Hurricane Lala emergency response around Hawaiʻi Island. The nonprofit also has distributed more than $23,000 in grocery and gas cards — primarily for those throughout Kaʻū and the Hāmākua Coast who endured extended power outages and had access challenges since the storm.
“In the wake of the continued devastation of Hurricane Lala and its impact on Hawaiʻi residents, we want everyone affected to know their voices are heard, and we are here to help at every step toward recovery,” said Hilo Temple Corps Officer Capt. Sam LeMar in the release. “Food is one way we are able to provide immediate relief for our neighbors facing hardships from this disaster, and we are honored to work round-the-clock with committed local leadership and partners to bring comfort to our community.”
Click here to learn more about The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services supporting Hawaiʻi communities and emerging needs.
