By: Allison Basco
Corporations and nonprofits of all kinds are stepping forward to help people affected by the wildfires in Maui recover. From funding response teams to supplying food, there is so much good going around. See how you can contribute.
Partnerships Assisting Disaster Relief Efforts
- SPAM® brand has collaborated with long-time partner Convoy of Hope to deliver over 264,000 cans of SPAM® products to those impacted. The brand has also created a limited edition “SPAM® Loves Maui” t-shirt with 100% of proceeds to be donated to Aloha United Way’s Maui Fire Relief Fund.
- Sony will donate a total of 200,000 U.S. dollars to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund and the American Red Cross in emergency aid to support relief efforts for communities affected by the wildfires. In addition, Sony’s U.S. operating companies are taking individual action to support relief efforts in Maui.
- Lowe’s has donated $1 millionto support ongoing relief efforts, assisting partners including the American Red Cross. The company has also deployed a 20-person Emergency Response Team to the Lowe’s store in Kahului to help with recovery efforts and is expanding its Lowe’s Employee Relief Fund for impacted associates and their families.
- The Home Depot Foundation has committed up to $500,000 to support the communities impacted through in-kind and monetary donations to partners World Central Kitchen, American Red Cross, and Convoy of Hope. Boeing has also donated $500,000 to relief efforts, providing $250,000 each to the American Red Cross and the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
- Panda Express has pledged up to $2 million to the American Red Cross to provide essential care for the communities impacted by the wildfires through the Panda Cares Foundation and a dollar-for-dollar corporate match. At participating U.S. locations from August 15th through 21st, 100% of guest donations in-restaurant and online will be matched (up to $1 million) by Panda Express.
- Additional brands that have pledged support for disaster relief efforts in response to the wildfires include Kia America, Purina, Hyundai, Ty, and U-Haul.
Local Nonprofit Organizations and Relief Funds to Support
- Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund – HCF is working in close collaboration with state and county leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community members to get an understanding of the quickly evolving priorities. Funding will support evolving needs, including shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services as identified by our partners doing critical work on Maui.
- Hawai’I Food & Wine Festival’s Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund – the fund will provide immediate assistance to the hardworking restaurant, bar and hospitality workers displaced by the devastating wildfires that have impacted West Maui communities from Lahaina to Kapalua, a cherished home of the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival.
- Chef Hui’s Feed the People Maui Fund – Chef Hui is partnering with World Central Kitchen and Common Ground Collective to rally Chef Hui ambassadors, local cooks and food service providers from across Hawaii to come together to serve the community on Maui. Chef Hui is establishing food hubs on Maui by sourcing ingredients to create restaurant quality meals that sustain their lāhui during this time of need.
- Maui United Way Fire and Disaster Relief Fund – The organization is responding to immediate needs via daily grant approvals to existing grassroots organizations that are local and focused on basic needs. All their work is guided by a deep desire to increase equity and decrease long-standing disparities for communities, including the AAPI populations, especially Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations. 100% of the donations to Maui United Way stay in Hawaii.
- Buy from Hawai’ian businesses online – Honolulu Magazine has compiled a list of Hawai’ian designers and boutiques donating proceeds to Maui’s wildfire recovery.
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