Bipartisan caucus provides essential household, hygiene items through nonprofit groups
Honolulu, Hawai‘i – For 23 years, the Women's Legislative Caucus (WLC) has collected essential household and hygiene items, wrapped them into colorful Easter Baskets, and presented them to nonprofit groups that provide support for local families in need.
House and Senate members and staff gathered Thursday at the State Capitol to present approximately 85 baskets filled with essential household items, such as laundry soap, utensils, pots and pans, dishes, toiletries, and towels, for clients of the Institute for Human Services, the Domestic Violence Action Center, Parents & Children Together, and the Salvation Army Hawai‘i.
John Fink, President & CEO of Aloha United Way, and Micah Kane, President & CEO of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, participated as the surprise guest Easter bunny and duck, respectively. The WLC recognized both organizations’ contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic to help our community.
"We are deeply grateful for all the donations and support from our colleagues," said WLC co-convener Representative Linda Ichiyama. "I'm proud that the Women's Legislative Caucus has carried on the tradition of donating Easter Baskets for the past 23 years.”
"Now more than ever, it is essential to the health of our community that we support women and children in crisis. I appreciate our continuing partnership with organizations like PACT, DVAC, Salvation Army Hawai‘i, and IHS that provide direct services to those in need," said Caucus co-convener Representative Lauren Matsumoto.
"On behalf of the Senate women, I want to thank everyone for their efforts to make this year extra special by donating household and hygiene items as well as monetary donations. These Easter Baskets mean a lot to families transitioning to a more permanent living situation," said co-convener Senator Michelle N. Kidani.
“Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a big difference, like having new shampoo and towels or even just toothbrushes,” added co-convener Senator Rosalyn H. Baker. “We want to help make it easier for a family to settle into a new home.”
Hawaiʻi Women's Legislative Caucus is a bipartisan coalition of women legislators from the Senate and House of Representatives that advocate for bills benefiting women and girls in our state. The Women's Legislative Caucus currently includes 17 women Representatives in the House and 10 women Senators.
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