ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Freezer will be big help in feeding 'ohana of 22
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
"C.P." nibbles at the food she's cooking for her family's dinners. Often, that's all she gets to eat. The family is so large, sometimes there is nothing left for her when she sits down at the table.
"There are times I go hungry, but I'm healthy," said C.P., a recovering drug addict who has been clean and sober for 18 months. "If we miss a meal, we miss it. In our family, we make sure the children eat first and we want them to eat as much as they want. My mom and dad eat with the kids. When they're done, we portion out what's left among the rest of us."
Helping Hands Hawai'i Donations to the Christmas Fund can also be dropped off at First Hawaiian Bank branches statewide. To donate canned food or household goods, call the Helping Hands Hawai'i Community Clearinghouse at 536-7234.
Including C.P., there are 22 mouths to feed at dinner. Besides her parents, the 'ohana comprises C.P.'s husband, adult son, daughter and her boyfriend, and a grandson; two sisters and their seven children; two adult brothers and one of their girlfriends; a brother-in-law; and the boyfriend of one of her nieces.
Mail checks payable to The Advertiser Christmas Fund to:
P.O. Box 19155
Honolulu, HI 96817
C.P.'s 'ohana lives at her parents' four-bedroom home, which includes a backyard cottage and an enclosed garage. A 25-pound bag of rice lasts three or four days. The family goes through 15 pounds of chicken or meat at one meal.
The adults share the cost of food. C.P. earns $10 to $15 a week from housecleaning and about $50 a month by helping taro farmers.
C.P. would like a freezer so the family can buy in bulk.
