LIHUE Genny Moura was one of the early arrivals, Sunday, and was thrilled to find clothes that fit her during the Iglesia ni Cristo, or Church of Christ, Aid to Humanity giveaway at the lawn of the historic County Building.
LIHU‘E — Genny Moura was one of the early arrivals, Sunday, and was thrilled to find clothes that fit her during the Iglesia ni Cristo, or Church of Christ, Aid to Humanity giveaway at the lawn of the historic County Building.
“I can have more than one?” Moura asked, eying more items that fit. “I can always use clothes.”
From 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo — both the Kalaheo church, and the Lihu‘e church that meets at the Island School cafeteria — manned tents containing nonperishable food, hygienic products, gently-used clothing, blankets, and even a free blood pressure screening station manned by a Registered Nurse.
“This is a philanthropic event by the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation,” said brother Eduardo Gaper. “This is being done by all the churches around the world at the same time. “We are all brethren.”
Marilou Alop, a church member, said invitations were distributed to all the homeless people they could find in the Lihu‘e and Hanama‘ulu area to stop by and receive some of the supplies the church had prepared to service more than 300 individuals.
“This world-wide event was launched by our Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, and our Kaua‘i leaders Brother Eduardo Gaper and Brother Ramzy Salvador,” Alop said. “Everyone is my Countrymen, My Brethren.”
Guests were also invited to view video showing some of the church’s accomplishments and services from around the world, including a food drive that benefited the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank last year under a similar Aid to Humanity initiative.
Gaper said Iglesia ni Cristo has about 500 members on Kaua‘i, meeting at the Kalaheo church adjoining The Right Slice shop on Kaumuali‘i Highway, and the Lihu‘e church that meets at the Island School cafeteria.
The first Iglesia ni Cristo church in “the Far West” opened on July 27, 1968 in Ewa Beach, O‘ahu, a site that has grown to be one of the largest chapels.
