Lanai nonprofits to receive $47K from Hawaii Community Foundation to respond to COVID-19 outbreak
The Hawaii Community Foundation is offering $47,250 in grant funding to support COVID-19 response efforts on the island of Lanai.
A total of $37,250 will go to the Lanai Community Health Center for COVID-19 tests, as well as food supplies for grocery bags to be delivered to 150 households on island. Another $10,000 will go to Maui United Way, which will provide personal protective equipment to Lanai health care workers, volunteers and community members.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on Lanai grew by three today, its third day under a mandated “stay-at-home” order, bringing the cumulative total to 97, according to the state Health Department. That number includes a total of 32 students at Lanai High & Elementary School.
An outbreak was confirmed with just four cases about a week and a half ago, and quickly multiplied on the island, which has a population of about 3,000. The state Health Department identified large, social gatherings and household transmission as the main drivers of the outbreak.
“The island of Lanai is a special place where everyone knows everyone,” said HCF Chief Executive Officer and president Micah Kane in a news release. “The community’s kokua for one another is part of what has kept them COVID-free for so long. Thanks to our partners and donors, we are glad to be able to support Lanai in this effort.”
The grants are made possible by donations to the HCF Strong Funds, which were created to build community resilience by providing resources for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, as well as the HCF Hawai‘i Resilience Fund, which was established in March to address the human and economic impacts of COVID-19.
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“During this COVID crisis, we have once again learned the significant value our partners play in LCHC’s ability to take care of its patients and the community,” said Diana Shaw, executive director for Lanai Community Health Center, in the news release. “The funds being provided by HCF will be used to provide food to those in quarantine and also to help cover the cost of tests. Together, we will beat this crisis.”
