The Salvation Army announced another successful Thanksgiving after sharing thousands of meals across Hawaii and Guam.
The nonprofit said with the support of generous partners and volunteers that they hosted a series of events, food pantry distributions and holiday meal deliveries to kupuna and families in need.
Oahu:
Honolulu: The biggest event was the Thanksgiving Day service at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, with hundreds of volunteers serving up free meals to 1,675 people. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Gov. Josh Green, and the Salvation Army’s Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division Leader, Major Troy Trimmer, carved the ceremonial turkey. The event was presented by “Love Beyond Partners” Domino’s Hawaii, KSSK Radio and other generous sponsors, and included entertainment from Glenn Medeiros, his daughter, Lyric Medeiros, and the Salvation Army Brass Band. The menu featured 1,000 pounds of turkey, 500 pounds of stuffing, 200 gallons of gravy, 300 pounds of rice, 125 fresh pineapples, and 250 pumpkin pies.
Kaneohe: On Nov. 19, The Salvation Army Kaneohe Corps hosted its onsite holiday Food Pantry, and offered prepared food boxes featuring fare for a bountiful Thanksgiving meal.
Ewa Beach: On Nov. 27, the Kroc Center held its 1,000 Blessings Community Thanksgiving Meal Event, including a sit-down lunch program for 400 people, and 700 meals were additionally delivered across the west Oahu community.
Hawaii Island:
Kona: On Thanksgiving Day, the Kona Corps, in partnership with Papa Kona’s, Cal Kona and Jackie Rey’s, hosted a Thanksgiving grab-n-go meal for the community. In addition, the Kona Corps delivered 500 meals to kupuna in the community.
Hilo: On Thanksgiving Day, the Hilo Temple Corps hosted a sit-down Thanksgiving meal event at Aunty Sally’s at 799 Piilani St.
Honokaʻa: On Thanksgiving Day, The Salvation Army Honoka'a Corps delivered 600 boxed meals to neighboring families in need.
Kauai:
Hanapēpē: The day before Thanksgiving, The Salvation Army Hanapēpē Corps held an onsite lunch event at its community center. Both dine-in and take-away meal options were available, serving 350 people.
Lihue: The day before Thanksgiving, The Salvation Army Lihue Corps served up 600 Thanksgiving lunch plates for houseless community members at The Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
Maui:
Kahului: The day before Thanksgiving, The Salvation Army Kahului Corps and the University of Hawaii Maui College held its Annual Community Thanksgiving meal in the Pa’ina Building at the UHMC Main Campus, featuring 800 meals prepared by the UH Maui College Culinary Arts Program at this free, in-person Thanksgiving Celebration.
Guam:
Hagåtña: On Thanksgiving Day, 1,000 meals were served at Chamorro Village. Both dine-in and take-away meal options were available to the community on a first-come, first-served basis.
