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Salvation Army seeks food, other donations to help residents displaced by eruption

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Volunteer Jasmine Kupihea, facing camera, hugged a resident affected by the lava flow at a makeshift donation center Tuesday, in Pahoa. The Salvation Army seeks the public’s help with meal, clothing and online donations as additional residents evacuate due to ongoing lava activity in lower Puna.

The Salvation Army seeks the public’s help with meal, clothing and online donations as additional residents evacuate due to ongoing lava activity in lower Puna.

Hawaii County had issued an evacuation order Tuesday for residents of Lanipuna Gardens in the wake of two new vents that are releasing hazardous fumes.

The non-profit organization is requesting large-volume meal donations from local restaurants and certified kitchens. Officials say they are unable to accept small, home-prepared meals for evacuees because of health and safety food preparation standards.

Restaurants and certified kitchens that are interested in donating large-volume meals may call The Salvation Army at 756-0306.

The organization is also requesting volunteers to help organize clothing donations at its thrift stores in Honokaa, Hilo and Kailua-Kona.

Starting Thursday, thrift stores on Hawaii island will begin accepting in-kind donations of clothing that will benefit residents impacted by the Puna lava flow, said Lt. Micheal Stack, emergency disaster services coordinator of The Salvation Army-Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division, in a news release.

Affected residents may select any clothing items from the designated thrift stores using vouchers being issued this week at the Recovery Information Assistance Center in Pahoa, Sacred Heart Church in Pahoa and any other future disaster recovery centers.

The Salvation Army also continues to seek monetary donations to support emergency disaster services efforts that aid affected Puna residents.

Anyone who may be interested in becoming a thrift store volunteer or sending a monetary donation may visit www.hawaii.salvationarmy.org.

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