Page 6 - MidWeek East - Sep 22 2021

6 SEPTEMBER 22, 2021
Lanakila Meals On Wheels Celebrates 50th With Bingo Event
BY MARIA KANAI
wheels.org.
“While senior hunger and
gling to make ends meet, and 34% of seniors in Hawai‘i lived alone.
increased resources and sup- port,” says Hara. Throughout the year, the organization grew and most recently pro- vided new services called “The Green Bag,” “Kūpuna Tech” and “Kūpuna Con- nect.” These services offer fresh produce delivery to homes as well as ways for seniors in isolation to stay connected using technology.
Lanakila Meals on Wheels has been serving nutritious food to hungry seniors since 1971. What started out as a lunch wagon in ‘A‘ala Park has grown into the island’s largest organization to pro- vide meals for kūpuna.
isolation have been ongo- ing concerns for more than five decades, the COVID-19 pandemic considerably in- tensified the issues,” says Rona Yagi Fukumoto, pres- ident and CEO of Lanakila Pacific.
“These numbers are like- ly much higher now. The pandemic heightened the food insecurity issues our seniors faced with; many unable or afraid to leave their homes,” says Laurie Hara, marketing manager.
This year, in honor of its 50th anniversary, the organi- zation is hosting a live virtual bingo event to thank support- ers. Starting from Sept. 22 through Oct. 1, patrons can pick up free bingo cards from participating Kāhala Mall merchants. Then, on Oct. 2, log on to play virtual bingo for prizes from Kāhala Mall merchants including $50 gift cards. Find more infor- mation at lanakilamealson-
“Our Lanakila Meals on Wheels program continues to evolve and grow to meet emerging needs because of dedicated volunteers, donors and staff who never waver from our mission — even duringdifficulttimes.Weare honored that so many have joined in our work to ensure people do not go hungry.”
As with any other busi- ness, the pandemic drastical- ly changed the way Lanakila Meals on Wheels operated — particularly because of the high-risk population it serves. The organization amped up its cleaning proce- dures and took extra precau- tions to include staff, volun- teers and seniors.
Lanakila Meals on Wheels started as a lunch wagon in 1971 and has grown into the island’s largest organization providing meals for kūpuna. PHOTO COURTESY LANAKILA MEALS ON WHEELS
For more information about receiving help from Lanakila Meals on Wheels for oneself or for kūpuna in your family, visit lanakila- mealsonwheels.org,call808- 356-8519 or email mow@ lanakilapacific.org. Those interested in volunteering can find applications and more information online at lanaki- lapacific.org/volunteer.
Before COVID-19, ap- proximately 60,000 kūpu- na on O‘ahu were strug-
“Wehadtofindaway to ensure our seniors still
The organization estab- lished “grab-and-go” sites where seniors could conve- niently pick up their meals, and delivered meals direct- ly to the homes of seniors who’ d normally be out and about.
“With the COVID-19 pan- demic reaching a heightened level, food insecurity among seniors and individuals with disabilities continues to be a top concern that require
safely received their meals,” says Hara.
Last year, Lanakila Meals on Wheels served more than 3,500 participants — 20% morethanthepreviousyear.
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