As a result of the current economic crisis, programs meant for providing help to needy individuals are also beginning to face difficulties in enduring trying times.
The Lōkahi Giving Project, one of Hawai‘i’s most prominent non-profit organizations, is suffering with a shortage of items to donate to struggling families and individuals this holiday season.
Mariellen Jones, co-founder of Lōkahi, said normally by this time of the year, its warehouse would be full of goods at maximum capacity.
“We are way behind this year,” Jones said. “It’s the toughest year I’ve seen.”
Jones said there has been a shortage of donations, and due to a suspension of emergency funds Lōkahi started preparations for the upcoming holidays weeks later than anticipated. As a result of a late startup, donation drives that support Lōkahi have either donated to another organization or said it was too late to start up another drive.
“I’m really afraid,” Jones said. “This is the first time that I’m actually worried. The warehouse would normally look like a Wal-Mart. We just need to have a lot of faith now.”
At press time, Jones could not divulge how many families and individuals are in need of donations, but she said the number is expected to be in the thousands.
Last year, Lōkahi sent donations to 8,000 individuals and 1,600 families for its Adopt-an-Individual and Adopt-a-Family programs, respectively.
In a bleak economy, those who regularly donate to Lōkahi are now the ones in need, Jones said. With the cost of living continuing to go up, people struggling are not just in the lower class anymore.
Although Lōkahi has received few donations, volunteers have been working extra hours to promote the program. Currently, only five people work at the warehouse located on Ilaniwai Street, and no one gets paid. Jones said the volunteers work a multitude of jobs.
“It’s like we’re all 18 years old and working around the clock,” she said. “There are five of us working like 15 jobs.”
Jones said she and her volunteers planned on working during the holidays, including Thanksgiving, to make up for time lost and in hopes of getting donations.
Pomai Uyehara, special events coordinator, is in charge of planning events statewide. She said Lōkahi would be at a variety of events this month with a tree that holds names of families and their wish list items.
“We’re looking forward to being busy,” Uyehara said. “I have to coordinate with Trini Kaopuiki (the Lōkahi Giving Project spokeswoman) and Mariellen and host all of these events.”
Uyehara said the biggest event is Lōkahi Day, which was held Dec. 2 at various shopping malls across the state. Ala Moana Center and Windward Mall were the designated spots on O‘ahu where people could donate items or money.
In addition, Jones is also looking to reach out to college students who may be interested in donating or volunteering at the events.
“(College students) are so talented,” she said. “You can make a difference. You may not have a lot of physical resources, but you have a lot of friends. Even one post on Facebook can help a lot.”
Even though they would be helping others, students can benefit from donating or volunteering. Community service looks good on résumés, and students can also participate in internships at Lōkahi.
Jones said people assume that because Lōkahi is partnered with KHON2, the organization does not need help. That is not the case, she said.
“We’re so well-known so people assume that we’re OK,” Jones said. “We’re not.”
But although the organization is suffering, Uyehara said it’s important to stay hopeful that people will come through and give to the needy.
“We’re still looking forward to this time of year,” she said.
Lōkahi hopes that students will participate in Lōkahi, whether it be volunteering at an event or donating a small item.
“This generation is the most powerful,” she said. “It blows my mind sometimes.”
Items that are high in demand are basic necessities, such as toilet paper and diapers. Families in the Adopt-a-Family program often request clothes, toys and bags for their children.
Those who are interested in helping a family in need can fill out a donor form on the Lōkahi website (www.lokahigivingproject.org) and a volunteer will match the form with a family. Jones said social service agencies recommend names of families and individuals to the Lōkahi program, and donations are first handed to the social service agency.
The agency then gives the donations to the family, so donors are not required to meet with the family. In return, about 80 percent of families and individuals who receive donations become donors for other people in need.
“It’s so exciting to see it (donors giving back),” Jones said. “It’s very gratifying.”
Jones and former KHON2 news anchor Leslie Wilcox established Lōkahi in 1985. Its mission statement, Jones said, it is to provide people with opportunities to “relieve the burden of struggling individuals and families, especially the working gap group through donations of goods, cash equivalents, enriching experiences and advocacy.”
Although Lōkahi is mostly known for its projects during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, it also hosts events all year round. But right now, Lōkahi is trying to pull through the holiday season.
“The need doesn’t go away,” Jones said. “I don’t want to tell some mom that we don’t have enough toys for their child. And I don’t want a kid to wake up on Christmas Day with nothing.”