In its first year, A Cup of Cold Water, a community care van stocked with water, food and other basic provisions, has assisted more than 5,600 of Maui’s neediest people.
The Episcopal churches on Maui — Trinity-by-the-Sea in Kihei, Good Shepherd Wailuku, Holy Innocents Lahaina and St. John’s Kula — launched the all-volunteer outreach mission in October 2013. They have been joined by members from the Nazarene, Congregational, Roman Catholic, New Hope, Grace Bible and Keawalai churches and other congregations.
The van, staffed by rotating teams of more than 50 volunteers, has driven a total of 4,210 miles, making three runs a week. It visits Central Maui each Wednesday, Lahaina on Saturdays and South Maui on Sundays. In addition to pantry items, the van delivers clothing and slippers, tarps and towels, first aid, feminine hygiene and a few toys.
According to outreach organizers, the three volunteers staffing the van on every run are often greeted with smiles and comments ranging from "I’m parched. Thanks for stopping," to "This is the nicest thing that anyone has done for me."
In a news release, Cup of Cold Water organizers said "church folk" donate all items in the van’s inventory.
Keku Akana, president of the board of directors, said, "The mission of meeting people at their point of need is ‘old medicine.’ It’s ancient elbowgrease Christianity."
To donate or volunteer, contact Akana or Mary Lou Mellinger at 419-1637 or email acupofcoldwatermaui@gmail.com.
