Hawai‘i Community Foundation grants $100,000 to those impacted by COVID-19

Foundational Services

April 16, 2020

Financial assistance for Kaua‘i residents suffering severe financial hardships from the COVID-19 situation is now available through Catholic Charities Hawai‘i (CCH), thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.

CCH received a grant this week from the Hawai‘i Resiliency Fund at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. In response to the ongoing situation, the grant money will go to CCH’s Community Assistance Program to directly assist those on Kauai financially impacted by the COVID-19 economic downturn.

“A big mahalo to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation for its generous gift in helping those in need during this unprecedented crisis,” said Catholic Charities Hawai‘i CEO and President Robert Van Tassell. “Back in 2018, Hawai‘i Community Foundation and other organizations provided financial support to help us assist those affected by the Kaua‘i floodings, and we are truly grateful for their support once again.”

The program will provide financial assistance to qualified applicants in the following areas:

Housing costs such as rent, security deposit or utilities
Purchase of supplies, including food and sanitization items

Priority of assistance services will be given to vulnerable populations, including:

The elderly
Those with disabilities
Those who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless
Low-income/loss of income households

Affected Kaua‘i residents seeking assistance can contact Catholic Charities Hawai‘i’s Lihu‘e office at (808) 241-4673 (HOPE) to see if they qualify. CCH staff will provide those inquiring with information on the application process and required documentation.

Those wishing to make a donation to Catholic Charities Hawai‘i can visit www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org/support/donate/ or call (808) 527-4820.

For more information about programs and services, please visit www.CatholicCharitiesHawaii.org.

About Catholic Charities Hawai‘i

Serving Hawai’i since 1947, Catholic Charities Hawai’i offers assistance to people in need, regardless of faith or culture. Long trusted in the community for their innovative and professional approach to human services, Catholic Charities Hawai’i touches the lives of tens of thousands of people each year through programs statewide. The agency is fully accredited through the Council on Accreditation. Catholic Charities Hawai‘i is a partner agency of Aloha United Way and a member of the nationwide Catholic Charities USA network. For more information visit www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org.

About Hawai‘i Community Foundation

With over 100 years of community service, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) is the leading philanthropic institution in the state. HCF is a steward of more than 850 funds, including more than 250 scholarship funds, created by donors who desire to transform lives and improve communities. In 2017, HCF distributed more than $9.7 million in grants and contracts statewide, including more than $6 million in scholarships. HCF also serves as a resource on community issues and trends in the nonprofit sector.