The Miracle Meals Foundation, which serves Thanksgiving meals to about 100 Oahu families annually, says the holiday is about spending time with friends and family.
"We really want (the families) to take the meals home, be with family, eat, talk, laugh and see the abundance in their lives," said Theresa San-Nicolas, the foundation’s founder and president. "I grew up with the warm holiday feeling of sitting down with family and friends for a good holiday meal. I want them to have that, too."
Kalihi-Palama Health Center helps San-Nicolas identify and contact families who are in need. Meals will be distributed from 9:30 to 10 a.m. today at Kaumakapili Church in Kalihi.
The foundation has provided thousands with holiday meals for 17 years.
THANKSGIVING ROUNDUP
Other organizations helping the needy this week include:
» Lanakila Meals on Wheels, the state’s largest Meals on Wheels program, will continue its annual Thanksgiving meal distribution for the 20th year. More than 200 volunteers will help prepare and deliver the meals to 600 senior citizens Thursday morning.
» The Salvation Army’s 42nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner is open to the public Thursday at Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall from 10:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be live entertainment, and the meal will be served at noon. Neighbor island branches of the Salvation Army also hold Thanksgiving events.
» River of Life Mission will serve about 600 meals at 101 N. Pauahi St. from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday. It is open to the public. The mission will also deliver about 400 meals to senior citizens.
» Volunteers from the Hilton Hawaiian Village will serve a Thanksgiving dinner, open to anyone in need, at the Institute for Human Services at 350 Sumner St. from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday. About 400 people are expected. Earlier Thursday at the Sumner Street facility, Koa Pancake House will sponsor a breakfast, and Saint Louis School will provide peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
» Our Lady of Keaau, a spiritual retreat center run by the St. Francis Healthcare System, will serve a 500-pound pig donated by a Waianae farmer, 70 to 80 turkeys and all the fixings to about 200 people from the Waianae area. Shuttles will pick up people at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. at Waianae Boat Harbor, Paiolu Shelter and Lualualei. Attendees will also receive donated goods and plates of food. Open to the public, but reservations preferred. Call 696-7255.
» A coalition of Kahaluu churches will continue its Thanksgiving luncheon tradition at Kahaluu Elementary School from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday with a turkey meal. It is open to the public.
» Kau Kau Wagon, a nonprofit group that provides meals to homeless, low-income and disabled people in Chinatown on Saturdays. will hold its 26th annual Thanksgiving of Hope event from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Gateway Park at Hotel and Bethel streets next to the Hawaii Theatre. The organization will serve Thanksgiving meals to an estimated 800 people. It is open to the public.
