What is Community Meals all about?
It’s not just about serving a meal. it’s about serving people! Fostering relationships and building community.
Community Meals is a student led program, in which our students serve our brothers an sisters at the Next Step Shelter in Kakaako. In collaboration with Waikiki Health, this program provides an opportunity for our students to serve 4-6 times a month at the shelter, during the Fall and Spring semesters. Our program is very different in that our intent is not to serve food, but to serve people, so when you join us for a Community Meal, you will notice that the residents are served “restaurant style.” They are asked to relax while our students and volunteers serve them. We also have students and volunteers who are welcomed to sit down with a resident and have a conversations. Our goal is to build community, and break the barriers because Community Meals is for each one of us. It’s more than just providing a hot meal, its building community, fostering friendships, it’s the fellowship with the residents, it’s being able to step outside of our comfort zones and seeing each person as a brother or sister because they are no different than we are. Community Meals is a beautiful opportunity to experience and share God’s love and we guarantee when you come, it can change your heart, but you need to allow it to change you. When your heart changes, your mind changes, then your feet and your hands follow. #CommunityMeals #cuhministry #WeAreChaminade #buildingcommunity
How to get involved?
Come and join us as we minister and fellowship with our brothers and sisters at the Next Step Shelter. Dates TBD and will be found in our calendar. All are welcomed! We gather at Mystical Rose Oratory at 5:30 pm, or feel free to meet us at the shelter by 6:00 pm. Transportation to/from campus is provided. Please RSVP to secure a space on the van. For those who have extra time, we gather for “prep-work” from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm at the Mystical Rose Oratory. Bring a friend, or two…and a smile!
About Waikiki Health’s Next Step Shelter, Kakaako
The mission of Waikiki Health is to provide quality medical and social services that are accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of ability to pay. The Next Step Shelter in Kakaako is an one of the many shelters that they provide services to homeless individuals. As noted from their website https://waikikihc.org/locations/nextstep/
Services include:
- Emergency shelter for couples and individuals
- Housing placement assistance
- Job training
- Referrals for medical care
- Behavioral health
- Tobacco Cessation Treatment
- Obtain documents (State ID, social security card, etc.)
- Mail services
Donations
Help support those on the pathway out of homelessness. At this time, Next Step Shelter is only accepting the following in-kind donations:
- Hygiene items
- Non-expired, non-perishable can goods
- Fresh fruits
- Microwavable foods: cup noodle; ramen, popcorn, etc.
- Ready to eat foods: cup fruits; pastries and snacks, etc.
- Meal service items: paper plates, forks, napkins, disposable containers and plastic cups
- No clothing items are being accepted at this time due to precautions relating to COVID-19
Donations can also be submitted online, by phone (call 808-537-8400) or by mail download our donation form. Please CLICK HERE to make Monetary Donations online. Mahalo nui loa!
Campus Ministry 