At a time when hospitals have been working harder than ever to respond to our communities’ increased need, Lanakila Kitchen received a special order to brighten the days of the individuals working diligently to save lives and provide care.
The order, placed by construction consultancy firm Rider Levett Bucknall, supplied Oahu hospitals with 1,000 hot meals for doctors, nurse, and other staff members to enjoy as a token of thanks for their diligent longstanding efforts.
“While we’ve been able to make contributions to the built environment, we also know how important it is to take care of people in the community,” said Antonia Agbannawag, marketing specialist for Rider Levett Bucknall. “We wanted to be able to have a direct impact on the people who are making a difference in the healthcare sector and a difference for the nonprofits that are also contributing to the wellness of individuals in our community.”
Lanakila Kitchen’s meals warmed the hearts and stomachs of staff across Queen’s Medical Center – Punchbowl, Pali Momi Medical Center, Queen’s Medical Center – West Oahu, and Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. From Italian lentil soup to spaghetti with meat sauce to chicken curry, each dish brought comforting savory flavors to our healthcare heroes.
Every meal purchased and donated by Rider Levett Bucknall supported the continued employment and job training for our kitchen staff, many of whom have disabilities.
“It was a triple win for us to be able to support Lanakila Pacific, the healthcare community, and do our part during the holidays,” Antonia said.
Grateful, resilient medical staff picked up their floors’ meals with a smile, a holiday respite from their busy days.
“It’s a gift to be able to support those on the island who are working hard to keep us all safe,” said Reid Yasunaga, Director of Food Service at Lanakila Kitchen. “We’re so pleased to have this opportunity to partner with Rider Levett Bucknall to show our appreciation for all our healthcare workers do every day.”
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A social enterprise of Lanakila Pacific, Lanakila Kitchen provides job opportunities for individuals with disabilities and cooks up delicious meals and treats for catering, retailers, and Lanakila Meals on Wheels seniors. With help from our supporters, hundreds have received job training and meaningful employment.
If you are interested in donating to support social enterprises like Lanakila Kitchen, click here.