It was a long was to drive for a free turkey, but for Ka‘u resident Mary Lou Otero, the trip was well worth it.
Otero was overcome with emotion Saturday morning as she stood in the mass of people in front of the King’s Daughters Ministry in Kainaliu, waiting for her number to be called. She lives on $350 a month, waiting for disability payments to begin.
“I get overwhelmed,” she explained. “I was just happy to have a turkey. Then all this.”
One hundred and fifty free turkeys and all the trimmings were given away — an annual tradition since 2004. Helen Vailuu, president of the ministry and manager of the thrift store, has seen many of the same faces year after year.
“A relationship with the individuals has become established,” she said. “People open up.”
Leinaala Delacruz was helping out at the event before she picked up her own turkey, which she’ll put deep in the imu for six hours. The traditional Hawaiian cooking method offers a different flavor than conventional baking methods.
“When you use the imu it’s more of a nice, smoky taste,” she said.
One woman from Pahoa had signed up to deliver 10 turkeys for Pahoa residents. Shannon Horton of Kealakekua was volunteering to make a delivery to three bedridden residents in Nani Olu public housing just up the road.
“You just have to go and offer your help, because people are afraid to ask for it,” she said.
“This is a big help for people and their food budgets,” Horton added. “There are a lot of people who can’t afford to put together a Thanksgiving meal.”
Seven volunteers helped Vailuu set up for the giveaway, and later unpacked frozen turkeys from the back of a pickup truck and helped stock tables with potatoes, rice, raisins, stuffing, drinks and canned goods so people could gather what they needed.
Next week, volunteers will be using their own kitchens to cook 42 turkeys for those who signed up but lack a kitchen.
But too often, Vailuu said, she feels like she is going it alone. The number of people in need is disproportionate to the number who are willing to kokua.
“People stop in every day. They need help with gas, groceries, diapers,” Vailuu said. “It weighs on me. I need help.”
The turkey giveaway does not enjoy the support of any grants or outside funding. Instead, it is paid for entirely by proceeds from the thrift store, Vailuu said.
“It’s just a group of women,” she said. “We do this out of love.”