Convoy of Hope Hawaii, which debuted as the largest one-day charitable giveaway event in the state in 2011, returns this month bigger than ever with a third engagement on Oahu and its first stop on economically depressed Molokai.
The Christian organization, which seeks to feed the world one truckload at a time, distributed 67 tons of food, other supplies and services to about 15,000 Oahu residents during its annual Day of Compassion last year. This year organizers are aiming to serve about 3,000 people on Molokai at the Kaunakakai Ball Park starting at 5 p.m. July 20 and 20,000 people at its Aloha Stadium and Kapolei Fairgrounds sites, which open at 10 a.m. July 27.
"We’ll go until we finish distributing about $1 million worth of goods, including 22.5 tons of food on Molokai and 45 tons on Oahu," said Bulla Eastman, Convoy of Hope Hawaii media director.
The event also will offer people free medical and dental screenings, job fairs, haircuts, manicures, family portraits, clothing, backpacks with school supplies, slippers and children’s shoes, along with entertainment, games, rides and activities for children, said Convoy of Hope Hawaii State Coordinator Lynette Eastman.
While Convoy of Hope’s carnival-style events are a familiar sight on the mainland, Hawaii is the nation’s largest effort, Bulla Eastman said.
"Most people here are only two or three paychecks away from being homeless," he said. "Even those who have a roof over their heads may find that their cupboards are bare during the fourth week of every month. In the past most of our honored guests have been working families. Just because you are working doesn’t mean that you aren’t struggling."
Dawn O’Brien, a morning announcer on The Fish 95.5 FM, was the catalyst to expand the event to Molokai.
"We were on the air to thank her listeners for their support of last year’s event when she happened to mention that her Molokai listeners were asking her to tell us to come there," Bulla Eastman said. "There was so much need there … how could we refuse?"
Molokai site coordinator Cameron Hiro, a pastor at the Heart of Aloha Church, said the event is badly needed.
"It’s truly a historic occasion," Hiro said. "It’s quite expensive to live here: over $5 a gallon for gas and produce in the $3- to $4-a-pound range. Our economy is limited, and there are a lot of people on public benefits, so this event is going to make quite a difference. It’s going to raise quite a lot of hope, especially spiritually, and that’s the most important kind."
With only weeks to go before the giveaways, Bulla Eastman said organizers are focused on raising $170,000 in cash and augmenting in-kind donations.
"We’ve got a ways to go," he said.
Some businesses, like the Paul Mitchell Beauty School of Honolulu, which provided free haircuts twice before, have agreed to play a larger role.
"It just took us one time to attend the event and see how appreciative the people were to embrace the need," said Joannie Rossiter, director and owner of the school. "This year we want to do 1,500 haircuts and 300 manicures. We can’t wait to hear the success stories of how someone that we helped got a job, maybe even as a hairdresser."
Wahiawa resident John Pancho said he’s already agreed to return to Kapolei, where he volunteered last year.
"I met many people who were homeless or didn’t have enough money to buy food or the things that people take for granted," Pancho said. "I was once in a similar situation, so it was such a blessing to serve them. From what I saw last year, Convoy of Hope would have helped me a lot. I’m glad it’s there to help other people."
