Charities launch season of events for needy
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
With Thanksgiving opening the holiday season, several charitable organizations have events planned to make the season more pleasant for people in need.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
On Thursday, the Salvation Army will hold its 33rd Thanksgiving meal at the Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall. Entertainer Frank DeLima will host a program that begins at 9:30 a.m., with turkey and all the fixings served at noon.
Gerald Shintaku, Hawaii business manager for Kraft Foods, and Times employee Diane Erickson demonstrate how customers can contribute to the Foodbank at checkout at participating supermarkets throughout the Islands.
The event is expected to draw more than 2,000 people, and the Salvation Army welcomes anyone, particularly those alone, homeless, elderly or in need. Free tickets are available at Salvation Army Community Corps locations on O'ahu, from any social service agency or at the door.
More than 800 volunteers will take part. Many local businesses have contributed, and the city has donated use of the Blaisdell hall.
The Salvation Army also will serve Thanksgiving meals on the Neighbor Islands, said Ralph Hood, Salvation Army divisional commander. Last year, more than 6,500 meals were served or delivered, and hundreds of turkeys given to needy families, he said.
The second major event of the holiday will be the annual Thanksgiving celebration at the River of Life Mission at 101 N. Pauahi St. Gov. Linda Lingle will be the guest carver from 10 to 10:30 a.m., with lunch served until 1:30 p.m.
Food is being donated and will be served by River of Life staff and volunteers. The event is free. For more information, call 524-7656.
The Salvation Army has launched its Holiday Red Kettle giving program at Tamarind Park. Donations in the familiar red kettles are used to help people in need during Christmas and the rest of the year, Hood said. Last year, about 76,000 people were helped, he said.
Also yesterday, Kraft Foods Hawai'i launched its Kraft's Check-Out Hunger campaign with a $5,000 check to the Hawai'i Foodbank. Until Jan. 6, shoppers at participating stores may donate $2.74 to feed a family of four for a day, or $19.18 for a week.
Participating are Safeway on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island; Times Super Markets on O'ahu; Tamura's in Wai'anae, Wahiawa and Kaimuki; and Kokua Market on University Avenue.
Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.
