Kupuna Receive $50 Gift Cards

MEO News Release 

More than 400 lower income kupuna on Maui, Molokai and Lanai received a special holiday present – a $50 gift card to markets on their islands – through a $20,000 AlohaCare donation that was distributed by Maui Economic Opportunity.

The 415 gift cards were mailed or hand-delivered by MEO over the holidays and are redeemable at Foodland on Maui, Misaki’s and Friendly Market on Molokai and Pine Isle and Richard’s Markets on Lanai.

A Foodland discount supplemented the number of gift cards.

“Our goal this holiday season was to partner with nonprofits to make the holidays brighter by giving back to our community, with a special focus on keiki and kupuna,” said Francoise Culley-Trotman, AlohaCare CEO. “We are so thankful that MEO’s wide reach and quick response enabled our donation to help so many seniors throughout Maui County.”

MEO staff on the three islands, who personally distributed some of the cards, shared in the joy of the kupuna, many of whom were on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program support or receiving subsidies through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Many were surprised to receive the gift cards and grateful for the help.

When health insurance provider AlohaCare approached MEO in early December with the possibility of the large donation, MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe suggested spreading joy among kupuna in need with the gift cards to markets.

“Nothing better than playing Santa Claus for kupuna in need,” said Cabebe. “Through the generosity of AlohaCare, we were able to fill a basic need while spreading some holiday cheer.”