Oahu nonprofits coordinate emergency food delivery for seniors before Hurricane Lowell

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – To help kupuna prepare for Hurricane Lowell, nonprofits and their partners delivered free, pre-cooked meals to senior housing buildings.

Read more Oahu housing tour gives young locals inside look at challenges of building affordable homes

Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi and Lanakila Pacific, along with staff from the city and state, delivered ready-to-serve meals and side dishes prepared by Lanakila Pacific’s Meals on Wheels program to 20 seniors at Artesian Vista in McCully and 16 seniors at the Kalakaua Vista apartments.

“We want to ensure that our kupuna remain safe and nourished during the anticipated stormy weather,” said Tina Andrade, president and CEO of Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi.

The nonprofit’s staff went door-to-door to assess the seniors’ dietary and other needs, coordinating with the city’s Elderly Affairs Division and Lanakila Pacific on food deliveries.

Read more Woman dies after overnight Nanakuli fire injures 2

The food was prepared in anticipation of Lowell because many residents experienced problems last month when Tropical Storm Lala affected elevator service in several apartment buildings.

“This is preparation in case there are some issues with the upcoming storm, and we want to make sure that the seniors have adequate access to food to tide them over should that happen,” said Diane Terada of Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi.

“I really appreciate this. I really do. And it’s wonderful to know there are people there for you,” said senior resident Mary Mercier, who received the free prepared meals.

Read more Kauai residents prepare for potential Hurricane Lowell outages, disruptions