2018-05-17 The Salvation Army responds to Puna lava flow -- press release

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Media Contact: David Sayre/Sayre Public Relations 808-221-5025/david@sayrepr.com Update No. 8 – May 17, 2018 – A.M. The Salvation Army Responds to Puna Lava Flow More than 5,400 meals served since May 9; need grows for additional essential items at distribution center, volunteers, and meal donations for two existing shelters and new third shelter Hilo, Hawaii, HI \[May 17, 2018\] – Emergency Disaster Services \[EDS\] personnel and volunteers from The Salvation Army are supporting those affected by the Puna lava flow with meal coordination, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care at the two existing shelters in Pahoa and Keaau and at the new third shelter at Sure Foundation Puna. In addition, The Salvation Army oversees and staffs a distribution center in Pahoa near the pool parking area that provides essential items to those in need \[see hours of operation below\]. Food and water donations continue to be directed to partner agencies such as Food Basket, and clothing and other specific requested donations to The Salvation Army’s three Hawaii Island thrift stores. \[see updated details below\]. And, The Salvation Army distributes clothing vouchers for their Hawaii Island thrift stores at Recovery Information Assistance Centers \[RIAC\]. Today’s updates:  DISTRIBUTION CENTER TEMPORARILY CLOSED TODAY - Due to the light ashfall and air conditions resulting from today’s earlier eruption event at Kilauea Summit, The Salvation Army Distribution Center at Pahoa will be closed for today. Normal operational hours of 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. are scheduled to resume on Friday, May 18.  NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER REQUESTS – In addition to previous requests for food, water and clothing items, additional items are now being requested for the distribution center including blankets, camping chairs, cots, flashlights, garbage bags (thick-outdoor), laundry detergent (liquid), mats, pillows, single-burner camp stoves, sleeping bags, tarps (thick), and towels. Any of these items, along with the previous requests for clothing items may be dropped off at any of The Salvation Army’s three Hawaii Island thrift stores in Hilo, Honokaa, and Kailua-Kona. Please direct all food donations, including bottled water, to Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s Food Bank, locations in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.  ADDITIONAL MEAL DONATIONS REQUESTED –With the addition of a third shelter, The Salvation Army continues shelter meal coordination and seeks large volume meal donations from local restaurants and certified kitchens \[due to health safety food preparation standards\] for meal service at two existing shelters in Pahoa and Keaau and the new shelter opening at Sure Foundation Puna. Contact The Salvation Army at (808) 756-0306.  MEALS SERVED – Between May 9 and May 16, more than 5,400 meals have been served at the two existing shelters. Mahalo to the following for their food donations and volunteers for meals at the shelters on May 14, 15, and 16: Jack in The Box, Jamba Juice, Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ, Kuhio Grill, The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps Youth Group, Short N’ Sweet, Civil