PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release June 8, 2018 FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact: Cat Howland Hawai‘i Community Foundation (808) 566-5569 (Office) (808) 260-5001 (Mobile) chowland@hcf-hawaii.org
827 Fort Street Mall Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813 Phone: 808-537-6333 Fax: 808-521-6286 HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org
O‘AHU STORM DAMAGE REQUIRED RELIEF EFFORTS In the wake of April’s flooding, O‘ahu nonprofits received emergency grants from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation HONOLULU, HI – Two O‘ahu nonprofits at risk of halting their services after April’s heavy storm, received grant funding from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) to assist with flood damage. “While the storm’s aftermath was paralyzing on Kaua‘i, we want to remember that it affected many on O‘ahu, too,” said Micah Kāne, CEO and president of HCF. “Buildings were damaged, a school shut down, and many of our kupuna were at risk of losing food pantry services. That’s why it was important to help these organizations get up and running again as soon as possible.” One O‘ahu nonprofit to receive grant funding was Mōhala Pua Waldorf School. The entire first floor of their campus was filled with water, equipment in many classrooms was damaged and students finished their classes in the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church’s buildings. “Unfortunately, insurance wouldn’t be able to cover the costs of everything we needed, including testing for mold, bacteria and asbestos,” said Jocelyn Romero Demirbag, Administrative Director at Mōhala Pua Waldorf School. “The grant allowed us to start making repairs right away and to ensure that our campus will be safe for students to return in August.”
Angel Network Charities Inc. also received a grant that helped to reopen the pantry and allow them to distribute dry goods right away. They expect to be able to distribute fresh vegetables, refrigerated meats and to resume their educational cooking programs in the near future. -more-