Kauai soup kitchen needs funds to stay open

The Salvation Army on Kauai is asking for help to feed the needy on the Garden Isle.

Their two "Kokua" soup kitchens, in Lihue and Hanapepe, serve a total of four lunches a week. They do a brisk business -- more than 6,000 meals in Lihue alone last year, and 74 for lunch yesterday in Hanapepe. Their clientele is a mixture of the homeless, struggling families and seniors.

But they're in danger of closing.

"The cost of food keeps rising and our need has grown," said Salvation Army Lt. Larry Groenleer.

With a cost of about $30,000 a year, the Salvation Army is looking for donations -- or a grant from the state Legislature -- to keep the program running.

They have asked the state for $45,000, so they can expand to provide lunch five days a week and expand their hours of operation.

Right now, though, "we're hurting," Groenleer added.

To help, donations can be sent to the Salvation Army Hanapepe Corps, 4465 Puolo Road, Hanapepe 96716 or to the Lihue Corps, 4182 Hardy Street, Lihue 96766.

In addition to serving food, Groenleer said the Lihue and Hanapepe Corps provide clothing, social services and "whatever we can."