HCAP WEEKLY December 21, 2020

HCAP Launches Kokua Food Assistance Program For Eligible Individuals and Families Affected by COVID-19

Funded through the Community Services Block Grant CARES Act Federal Funds, HCAP is now providing food assistance for those individuals and families impacted by COVID-19 through loss of employment, reduction of work hours, or other pandemic-related challenges.

Through the Kokua Food Assistance Program, HCAP will be providing the following services to eligible individuals and families:

1. Kokua Grocery Cards:  Food assistance (gift cards) for eligible individuals and families
2. Kokua Grocery Boxes:  Fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and protein delivered to homebound kupuna and other vulnerable populations
3. Kokua Food Pantry:  Emergency food assistance for eligible individuals and families

Please call your nearest HCAP District Service Center for more information.

HCAP in the 2020-2021 Pacific Business News Book of Lists

HCAP was listed in the 2020-2021 Pacific Business News Book of Lists as the eleventh largest Nonprofit Service Provider in Hawaii, as ranked by 2019 revenue. The Book of Lists is a compilation of lists that appeared in the weekly issues of Pacific Business News during the previous year.

Single Mom Impacted by COVID-19 Celebrates Christmas with a Home, Electricity, and Presents Thanks to HCAP Programs!

Tiare is a mother of two boys. Before COVID-19, Tiare was working two jobs to make ends meet. But after the pandemic hit the islands, Tiare’s hours were cut for her first job and she was laid-off from her second one. She quickly sought help from HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center to see if she could receive assistance to keep her and her family afloat. In June, Tiare received assistance from HCAP’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program to pay off bills related to her urgent notice from Hawaiian Electric, preventing any disconnection of service. Later, when HCAP’s Hale Kākou Program launched, HCAP was able to assist Tiare with two months of back rent. While helping her with the Hale Kākou paperwork, Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff submitted an application to Adopt a Family for Tiare. We are happy to share that Tiare just picked up her Christmas presents for her boys! Thanks to HCAP’s programs and services, Tiare’s family is now able to celebrate this Christmas with a home, electricity, and presents!

Head Start Family Receives Holiday Gifts Through Toys for Tots Program

Christmas is right around the corner and that means our District Service Centers are working hard to add a few more gifts under our family’s trees! Last week, our Leahi District Service Center was able to provide HCAP wrap-around client Chelsey and her family with Christmas gifts through our Toys for Tots program. Chelsey has been utilizing the services offered at HCAP for a little over 6 years now. She first came to HCAP to enroll her children in Head Start. Since then, Chelsey has also utilized HCAP’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program as well as our Income Tax Assistance Program. This year has been difficult for Chelsey’s household, as it has for many families, and her children were so excited to have another gift to open under their Christmas tree. Merry Christmas to Chelsey and her ohana!

Mele Kalikimaka from HCAP!

Our HCAP ohana would like to wish you and your family a safe and restful Christmas holiday. We know that this year has presented challenges and difficulties for many, but we also hope that we can all work together to strengthen our communities, state, and world at large. Together we hope we can make this world a better and brighter place for future generations. Stay healthy, be safe, and have a wonderful Christmas!