The Weekly Eater

By Nadine Kam
Star-Bulletin

Thursday, November 28, 1996

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Give thanks and a
helping hand all year

WHILE we give thanks today, it's natural to want to reach out and help others in need. One of the first places many people think of is IHS, The Institute for Human Services.

More than 200 people annually enjoys a traditional holiday feast courtesy of the IHS, for several years catered by the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Any other time of year, IHS would love extra volunteers. But today, as with most Thanksgivings, they had all the help they needed.

"In the past we didn't limit the number of volunteers, but more people are volunteering," said Debbie Morikawa, outgoing executive director for IHS. "The homeless people would pass by and see all the volunteers with trays waiting to help and think the line was too long. So they'd just leave!

"There's a tradition of wanting to help on Thanksgiving Day. We're supposed to feel thankful and we want to do something for someone else. A lot of people have read about us (serving meals to the homeless for Thanksgiving), but what people have to realize is that we need help 365 days of the year."

Still, the next biggest time of giving is Christmas and the shelter has come up with a wish list for those who would like to help. The needs are:

Food items, including turkeys, hams, pies.

Contributions of bus passes; gift certificates (for restaurants, stores, haircuts, etc.); tickets or passes to movies, sports events, etc.; wrapped Christmas gifts for adults (mostly male), such as back packs, watches, large T-shirts, wallets, snack food items.

Volunteers are needed to provide holiday decorations, bake cookies, provide entertainment and provide materials and instruction for crafts projects.

Other: One large Santa suit, and an upright, store-size popcorn machine.

As the island's only emergency shelter that is open to anyone, anytime, IHS functions as a temporary home for those in need. The institute was founded 18 years ago by the Rev. Claude Du Teil as a "peanut butter ministry," serving sandwiches to those in need.

Since then it has grown and taken on the additional responsibility of providing food, clothing, social services and medical care.

The shelter is at 546 Kaaahi St. To make a donation, call 845-7150.

OTHER organizations which need extra help and volunteers during the holiday season include:

River of Life Mission: The organization regularly provides needy and homeless with meals, food boxes, clothing and medical care (provided by Kalihi Palama Healthcare for the Homeless).

For Christmas, they are requesting donations of new socks, slippers and T-shirts for men and women, plus new toiletry packs for men and women, including toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, razors, hair ties, brush or comb and other personal hygiene items.

For Christmas meals, they are asking for hams and any kind of fresh produce or vegetables.

Call 524-7656.

Hawaii Foodbank: Canned meats, peanut butter, rice, pasta and canned fruits are regularly needed for distribution to some 300 agencies including care homes, shelters, food pantries, day care for low-income children and AIDs centers.

Volunteers are also needed. Call 836-3600.

Comfort, Security and Independence: This organization assists the elderly and disabled to maintain their independence at home and in the community, offering telephone chats and visits. They also lend some assistance to the homeless.

They request small gifts for 170 clients including toilet articles such as toothpaste and soap, plus little bags of cookies or candies for the holidays. Call 538-0353 to lend a hand.

Also try checking with hospitals, hospitals, care homes near you.

May the holiday season be happy for all.

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Nadine Kam's column runs on Thursdays.
She'll get back to reviewing restaurants next week
and promises she won't mention turkey.

- excellent;
- very good, exceeds expectations;
- average;
- below average.