PPE donations distributed by resilience hubs

5 years ago Linda Hohnholz - editor

To help protect essential workers who provide mental health services and their patients, the Hawaii Department of Health and the Behavioral Health and Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group (BHHSURG) are coordinating the distribution of PPE donations (personal protective equipment donations) across the state. So far, more than 12,000 surgical masks, among other items, have been donated to one of three drop-off and distribution sites, or “resilience hubs,” on Oahu.

“We’d like to thank the community for their generous spirit and outpouring of Aloha. The donations allow our providers to safely ensure a continuity of care while keeping our staff and clients protected,” said Eddie Mersereau, Department of Health Deputy Director of Behavioral Health.

Donated PPE are being used by behavioral health and homelessness service providers working across the state, including at the Hawaii State Hospital and the Temporary Quarantine and Isolation Center on Oahu. A partnership with the Hawaii Public Health Institute will begin establishing additional resilience hubs on Neighbor Islands to receive donated PPE.

Donations of homemade and unopened store-bought PPE such as masks, goggles, gloves and face shields continue to be welcomed. In addition, the resilience hubs are now accepting sanitation supplies including bleach, disinfecting wipes, paper towels, and toilet paper.

To date, the resilience hubs have received:

12,153 Unused and Unopened Surgical Masks
8,735 Pairs of Disposable Gloves
7,069 N95 Masks
288 Homemade Masks
590 Unused Medical Gowns
204 Homemade or Locally Manufactured Face Shields
315 Pairs of Unused Eyewear or Goggles

Yet, thousands more are needed. The resilience hubs continue to welcome donations from the public. Three non-profits are hosting the resilience hubs: KROC Center in Kapolei, KEY Project in Kahaluu and YMCA in Kalihi. Items may be dropped off at the following times and locations:

KROC Center in Kapolei

91-3257 Kualakai Parkway, Ewa Beach, HI 96706

Drop-off hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., or by appointment

Phone: (808) 682-5505

KEY Project

47-200 Waihee Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Drop-off hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., or by appointment

Phone: (808) 239-5777

Kalihi YMCA

1335 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819

Drop-off hours: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., or by appointment

Phone: (808) 848-2494

Behavioral health and homelessness service providers may continue to submit requests for PPE using the Support & Supply form on the Behavioral Health and Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group (BHHSURG) website. Walk-in requests for PPE are not being accepted at this time. Orders are being completed in phases and pick-ups are coordinated directly with providers.

The BHHSURG is a partnership with the Hawaii Department of Health, the Office of the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness, the Hawaii Department of Human Services, the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Public Health Institute. Funds for the effort were donated from BlackSand Capital into the Hawaii Resilience Fund, with a match from the Hawaii Community Foundation. In addition, a significant donation was made by the Tzu Chi Foundation.

To learn more about this initiative or for other ways to provide community support during this time, please visit https://bhhsurg.hawaii.gov/

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