Support Auntie Mona & Uncle Glenn of Kaneohe!
Donation protected
Uncle Glenn’s Hawaiian Food lost 85% of its business when large events were banned and catering contracts were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While still able to eke out small revenue from take-out business, Uncle Glenn’s supplied an ever-increasing number of meals to the needy through Malama Meals. The mom-and-pop business was providing 600 meals a week at a cost of $4,000, each week. Office of Hawaiian Affairs reimbursements topped out at 213 meals, or $1,491 a week.
Seeing the desperation at food drives, Auntie Mona knew the need was great and growing. “Who do I tell, ‘sorry, you’re cut?’” she said, tearfully, during a virtual town hall with Councilmember Pine Thursday evening.
Uncle Glenn and Auntie Mona Silva continued to provide meals for the community at a loss of more than $2,500 a week.
She received a federal PPP loan, but says, “the PPP has a time-frame of eight weeks. Mine started May 2 but we can’t even open. Takeout orders are only 10 to 15% of normal business, but I can only get (loan) forgiveness if I bring (employees) back. I’m thinking about returning the money and just trying our best.”
After difficulties with online emergency loan funding, Aunty Mona received help from community organizer Kau‘i Pratt-Aquino in applying for the City and County of Honolulu’s Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund and is waiting for a decision. Aquino has also helped other small businesses in Kane‘ohe with emergency funding applications.
Councilmember Pine has personally pledged to give funds to help the business. She is encouraging personnel and residents from Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, to order takeout from Auntie Mona and her husband, as well as all other local businesses in the area. A local bank has reached out to Uncle Glenn’s Hawaiian Food by ordering 300 bentos for next week, when its employees will return to work.
Seeing the desperation at food drives, Auntie Mona knew the need was great and growing. “Who do I tell, ‘sorry, you’re cut?’” she said, tearfully, during a virtual town hall with Councilmember Pine Thursday evening.
Uncle Glenn and Auntie Mona Silva continued to provide meals for the community at a loss of more than $2,500 a week.
She received a federal PPP loan, but says, “the PPP has a time-frame of eight weeks. Mine started May 2 but we can’t even open. Takeout orders are only 10 to 15% of normal business, but I can only get (loan) forgiveness if I bring (employees) back. I’m thinking about returning the money and just trying our best.”
After difficulties with online emergency loan funding, Aunty Mona received help from community organizer Kau‘i Pratt-Aquino in applying for the City and County of Honolulu’s Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund and is waiting for a decision. Aquino has also helped other small businesses in Kane‘ohe with emergency funding applications.
Councilmember Pine has personally pledged to give funds to help the business. She is encouraging personnel and residents from Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, to order takeout from Auntie Mona and her husband, as well as all other local businesses in the area. A local bank has reached out to Uncle Glenn’s Hawaiian Food by ordering 300 bentos for next week, when its employees will return to work.
Organizer and beneficiary
Eliza Manchester
Organizer
Kaneohe, HI
Ramona Silva
Beneficiary