When passing showers crossed the Moikeha Building on Monday, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami was addressing a group of advocates and representatives of local agencies and groups working to end homelessness.
From out of the group, Councilwoman Fern Holland offered her umbrella so a worker could provide shelter from the rain and allow Kawakami to finish the proclamation presentation.
Council Chair Mel Rapozo, taking his turn to present a County Council certificate announcing National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, said people who are houseless don’t have someone to do that.
The County of Kauai, including the County Council, joined “the hardworking advocates focusing on homelessness solutions,” and recognized Nov. 16-22 as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. It is an effort to promote public awareness of homelessness as a significant societal, public health and welfare, and public housing shortage problem, and bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness on the island of Kauai, throughout the state of Hawaii, and around the world.
Both Rapozo and Kawakami were guest participants on Sunday during the telethon phase of the Emergency Fundraising Show and Telethon for the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai presented by The Babes and the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort.
The primary motivation for the Babes Giving Nourishing Neighbors is the ongoing government shutdown and the uncertainty of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“As the holidays inspire a spirit of giving, no one should have to worry about whether they will have food on their plate, or a roof over their head,” the mayoral proclamation said. “Yet, the reality remains that hunger and homelessness are widespread issues affecting far too many people.”
The Housing Agency, in collaboration with the Kauai Community Alliance, will host the sixth annual Kauai Project Housing Connect outreach event during the week.
On Nov. 18, Kauai Housing Connect will be at The Salvation Army, Lihue Corps from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering free Kauai County Housing Signups, hot showers, Open Wound Care, vital checks, and other homeless outreach services. Hot meals will be available while supplies last.
Kauai Housing Connect moves to The Salvation Army, Hanapepe Corps on Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with outreach services being provided by Hale Opio, Family Life Center, the Kauai county Housing Agency, Kauai Economic Opportunity, Project Vision, Kauai Fentanyl Taskforce, Life Choices, Hoola Lahui Hawaii, the Department of Education, the Kauai Fire Department, PAL Hawaii, Catholic Charities, Department of Health, and more.
On Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kauai Housing Connect is at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Kapaa.
Kawakami asks and encourages the people of Kauai to recognize that many members of the community are without housing and are in need of everyone’s compassion, understanding and support.
Source: The Garden Island
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