"My number one goal is to get out of debt," said Gaspar, who put ANC's accumulated bill at around $50,000. "I guess over the 20 years, they've borrowed money here and there, and things have built up."

So while the agency's motto will remain "to reduce homelessness by providing resources and choices to Hawai'i's families," Gaspar also intends to deal with the wolves at the door as fast as possible.

Gaspar wants to try to "pay everything off that we can this year, and then start making money to reserve" in an endowment or trust fund.

ANC operates on the more than $100,000 it collects each year from its Thrift Shop, plus subsidies it receives from its partner church, Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church, right next door.

But to break the debt crunch, Gaspar has scheduled more fund-raising activities than ever before, including quarterly suppers. The first of those will be the $15-a-ticket ANC "Very Hawaiian-Style Beef Stew Supper & Entertainment" event at the church from 4 to 8 p.m April 16.

"If we sell 500 tickets, we'll make $5,000 right there" — one-tenth of the money owed, he said. "And we want to do a series of concerts in the sanctuary as another way to raise money."

Gaspar's numerous artist friends have donated hundreds of handmade items, such as angel pins and "I Believe in Angels" bracelets that will be sold for $3 to $5 each.

ANC has received national recognition for its successful efforts to give homeless families "a hand up — not a hand out," in the words of ANC founder Ivy Olson. The agency was recognized as a "point of light" by President George H.W. Bush in 1991, and two years later it received the U.S. Voluntary Service Award from President Bill Clinton.

ANC case workers assist those down on their luck by supporting them in ways to make them self-sufficient. Those services include such things as family counseling, referral services and drug-avoidance strategies.

But there's also pragmatic help for folks who find themselves against the wall — such as the Food Pantry, where families can pick out groceries.

There's a limit on the number of items that can be selected and how often a family can use the pantry each month. But otherwise, said Gaspar, the food is there for the taking.

Similarly, there's a government-sponsored program designed to give financial assistance to qualified O'ahu families who have received eviction notices or who can't pay their monthly utility bills.

"We want to keep people from becoming homeless in the first place," said Gaspar.

But, explained ANC operations director Alphonso Braggs, there are strict guidelines.

"Our objective is to get them to a sustainable process," said Braggs. "If they can prove sustainability following our help, then they would qualify for the assistance.

"We sit down with them and go through the budget process. We say, 'If you want this money, you have to show that you're not going to be back in three months.'

"That's the 'hand up' part of it. It also builds their self-esteem."

Those interested in donating money or items to the Thrift Shop or Food Pantry or volunteering their time, or simply wanting to inquire about the charity's various services, can call 377-1841.