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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 22, 2002

A&B helps charity groups

Advertiser Staff

The Alexander & Baldwin Foundation is donating $150,000 to programs that help working-class households still hurting from the economic downturn caused by the events of Sept. 11.

The Salvation Army on O'ahu will receive $50,000 from foundation officials today, and yesterday a $60,000 grant was presented to Maui Economic Opportunity and a $30,000 grant to Kaua'i Economic Opportunity. The Office of Social Ministry on the Big Island is due to receive $10,000 from the A&B Foundation in a presentation to be arranged.

The agencies are four of seven Hawai'i organizations that received state emergency shelter money in November to help pay utility bills and rent for residents who lost their jobs or saw their work hours cut in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

On O'ahu, 379 households benefited from the $1 million state emergency aid fund, as did 166 households on Maui and 123 on Kaua'i. Figures for the Big Island were not available.

Unlike the state program, the A&B grants can be used for mortgage payments as well as rent.

"While some may believe the larger crisis has passed, there are still a number of residents suffering from unemployment or underemployment who have exhausted their primary resources — personal savings, help from family members — and have to look for other help. We hope this will give them some relief," said A&B Foundation president Allen Doane.

A&B's business operations include Matson Navigation Co., A&B Properties, Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. and Kaua'i Coffee Co.