Aloha All
Many of you that know me well, know the Kau Kau Wagon has been a huge part of my heart for over 20 years. It has been a blessing in the ability to help those in need in our community. It has been a part of a solution. Most important is has provided HOPE to those in need in our community.
Trying to continue to meet the growing need demands in the community has always been a challenge. But by all means a worthy challenge.
I don't know exactly where or who to turn to. We have been doing the Kau Kau Wagon for 20 years thanks to all of you. Most of the funding has been out of pocket. However over the years we have grown quite a bit. We have expanded what we do and for more people in the community, including a dog therapy program and helping those in Mayor Wrights Housing with donations.
I have a huge concern right now. We desperately in need of a secure large space very soon, where we can store our supplies, such as our hot dog carts, rice cookers, shave ice, cups, bags, food, cloths etc. and to be able cook, store and prep our food items. Enough room for about 20 volunteers to help.
We have our things in three different places. We can't afford it all.
We rent the kitchen space with the use of their walk in fridge and freezer. It isn't a secure space, some of our things like the lunch meat, cheese, jumbo cooler and other stuff had been taken. It has been costly to replace.
I have some of the stuff at my house such as the cheese meat and coolers and some of the other donations. But my house is by no means the right size for all this. However on the bright side, my security system of Great Danes, helps. lol
My friend has been great in letting us keep some of our bigger items, like major supplies at her warehouse by the airport. That was things like the cloths donations, hot dog carts, shave ice machines, giant rice cookers, freezers, and all our bulk supplies. However the TSA rules have become extra strict this year and we have to find another place very soon. Our huge hope will be a space in the area between Pearl City to Downtown. One place for everything.
A place we can access 24/7, a place we can lock our stuff up and not worry about it. A place where we would have enough space to be able to accept more items of cloths, food items and things we can pass out to those we serve.
We serve all anyone who needs for whatever reason they may have, not just homeless. Many are Seniors, Vets, handicap, mentally ill, substance abusers, fixed income, families. We don't turn away one. Never have unless they are a danger to others.
We have operated 100% from volunteers. 100% of what we get goes back out.
Maybe you know of someone that can help us. Or maybe you know of some ways we can fund raise finances quickly so we can try and find a place we can afford to meet our needs.
Any help at all in any way would be more then appreciated. A friend of mine told me if I can raise 3k, he would match it to help us. Fund raising has never been my strong point. For the majority of years we have operated from funds that came from my friends, family and me, working OT and so forth.
The only time I had to really ask for help was our holiday meals.
I don't have that kind of income anymore. I really believe in what we do and why and the difference we make together.
Thank you so much for any help at all.
Mahalo
398 6665
Sharon / Kalona and staff