Taking Thanksgiving As the setting sun cast shadows over Fort St. Mall, citizens outfitted in blue T-shirts congregated on the walkway fronting Liberty House, gathered last Wednesday in support of Hawaii's homeless and in recognition of National Homeless Awareness Week, days before the start of the holiday season. The group of hundreds marched toward the State Capitol by candlelight, all the while singing several improvised verses to the tune of "We Shall Overcome":
seriously
Human services needs are
IHS wish list
greater at this time of yearBy Shawn "Speedy" Lopes
slopes@starbulletin.com
Streets will not be homes"It's an encouraging sight," said Dick Burress with an approving nod. The 52-year-old Moiliili resident showed up in support for the cause partly out of duty, partly out of empathy. "It's when you get a taste of that homeless life, then you really understand what it means to live not just to get by but to survive."
Streets will not be homes someday
For deep in my heart, I do believe
That streets will not be homes somedayIt was only two years ago that Burress was evicted from his residence, jobless and unable to make rent. Although his ordeal lasted only a few weeks before family friends offered to get him back on his feet, it stretched through the holidays, making it doubly tough to endure.
"You'd better believe I take my Thanksgiving and Christmases a lot more seriously now," he says.
Burress considers himself one of the lucky ones. While he was able to count on support from close friends, he knows many do not have such a luxury. "My heart goes out to them," he sighed. "I've been there. It ain't easy."
Institute of Human Services' executive director Lynn Maunakea and fellow organizers felt that in light of the events of Sept. 11, a march and candlelight vigil would be appropriate this year. The mood during last week's march was described by one return participant as, "Real positive and about as upbeat as you can expect right now."
Although Maunakea is not aware of any families at the IHS shelter who have been economically impacted by the economic collapse following Sept. 11, she concedes it may simply be a matter of time before some begin trickling in. "This is always a place of last resort," she says. "Particularly during the holidays, people will seek out the help of family and friends if at all possible. No one wants to end up in a homeless shelter. I would think though, that after the holidays we'll be seeing more of these things - welfare recipients who have exhausted their payments, for example. We'll have a better idea in a few months."
As with other homeless agencies, the final quarter of every year is the busiest. This is when the IHS's holiday ad campaign is in full swing and volunteerism is at its highest. Although seasonal changes in Hawaii are relatively mild, there is a noticeable increase in shelter intake during winter months. With more individuals to care for, the need for outside help also increases.
"Feeding people is a major way for people to contribute," said Maunakea, who added that 90 percent of the food distributed is donated. Handling the volume is a huge effort that requires outside assistance from those who donate money, and buy prepare or serve food.
The Institute also relies on the charity of local businesses and organizations to make it through the holiday months, says Catherine Graham, IHS Manager of Public Relations and Volunteer Services. "Here on Thanksgiving, the Hilton Hawaiian Village comes catering and brings in all this great food," she says, speaking of their grand Thanksgiving feast at its Sumner Street shelter, donated in full by the Hilton. "They bring in their staff and the staff's families and when they're done setting everything up, it looks like a hotel ballroom. It's done buffet style with turkey, stuffing, salad, pumpkin pie -- it's even the same food they serve at the hotel."
As far as donated items go, diapers and large size clothing are always in demand, while a dependable delivery vehicle is high on the Institute's wish list this year. "Should something happen to one of our trucks, we're in a world of hurt," said Maunakea, who hopes a generous soul with a reliable truck or van will donate it to the agency in the coming weeks.
Of course, donations are only part of the answer. "We want to make sure homelessness stays on people's minds," said Maunakea, who believes the homeless problem can be solved through public awareness and joint efforts of other agencies.
"We do see our share of success stories," she says. "Just seeing an individual coming to terms with their personal problems and addressing it or seeing kids get excited when it's time for their family to move out (of the shelter) -- it's real exciting."
The Institute of Human Services regularly is in need of bus passes; non-perishable food items; rice; spices; cooking oil; hygiene supplies such as razors, shampoo, soap and feminine hygiene items; baby diapers; disposable bottles; clothing; nail clippers; pre-paid phone cards; paper plates and napkins; and gift certificates for fast food and personal items, such as from Long's or K-Mart for shelter distribution. IHS wish list
For kids, sports balls of all types, games and Lego sets, are needed, and small, unwrapped Christmas gifts.
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