Aid for the houseless community

WAILUA – “Come on, Hawaiians,” said Rowena Contrades-Pangan. “You were the first to come in the shower. Now we’ll get you something to eat, a bag of groceries and a meal. “

Contrades-Pangan of Ho’omana Thrift Store in Wailua worked with a variety of community agencies and companies to deliver Na Wai Eha at the thrift store near the north bank of the Wailua River on Saturday afternoon.

“This is something we just got together and did,” said Kamealoha Smith, representative for the Hanalei River Heritage Foundation. Ho’omana, Kaua’i County, and many others came together to provide the offers of help and assistance.

“’Aina Ulu Kaua’i is a farmers’ cooperative that delivers the package with fresh fruit and vegetables. When you live outdoors, it’s hard to eat healthy, ”said Smith. “We promote healthy eating and sometimes add recipes for dishes that people can make with what is being distributed.”

Contrades-Pangan was geared towards helping the homeless community and was delighted with the turnout that kept the vendors busy during the three hours. Among them were Women in Need, the Kaua’i federal credit union for government employees, which helped individuals and families fill out housing aid forms.

“That’s more people than we’ve had on any of our personal assistance programs,” said Bonnie Howard, who represents the KGEFCU and the county’s 2021 Rent and Utility Assistance Program.

“We processed six applications in the first 15 minutes. That is more than any single assistance program appearance anywhere. We’ll try to come back a couple of times a month if they do that on Fridays. “

Other participating providers offering services included the State Department of Health with the mobile vaccine cart; Ho’ola Lahui Hawaii with medical assistance; Hawaiian Affairs Office; Jr.’s plumbing and the Aloha diaper bench.

“No, we don’t have adult sizes yet,” said Debra Bargamento-Hento, offering Mel Rapozo diapers and hygiene kits for women who came over to see the inclusive help presented.

“We represent Aloha Diaper Bank, which is based on O’ahu, and we receive material that we can distribute to the agencies and organizations on the island that will include Keiki in their service offerings,” said Bargamento-Hento.

“Do you know how much diapers cost? They are not cheap and there are stories of people who wash the disposable diapers in order to reuse them because they cannot afford diapers. “

The services for the attending audience included vouchers for clothing from the Ho’omana inventory, the mobile hot showers from Hi’ehi’e, basic medical care and wound care, help with EBT / SNAP applications (formerly food stamps), housing allowances and Covid-19 vaccinations.

“We got our first (dose),” said Claire and Robert Beck, proudly showing off the shirts they received after their vaccinations. “We’ll be back for our second.”

The Project Vision Hawai’i Hi’ehi’e mobile hot shower unit has also recorded high numbers since the program began.

“There’s nothing like a hot shower to feel good about,” said Contrades-Pangan. “The mobile shower will be available again on Fridays when Ho’omana continues this service from 2pm to 5pm.”

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Dennis Fujimoto, employed writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/20/aid-for-the-houseless-community/