Every year on the last Saturday of each November, Rotary International celebrates “Rotary Gives Thanks” - a day of showing gratitude, appreciation and respect for individuals, groups and communities that strive for a better life. In November 2019, the Rotary Club of West Pearl Harbor launched its inaugural Thanksgiving meal distribution for the clients of Pacific Gateway Center (PGC) in Kalihi. Additional Rotary members from Waianae Coast, Kapolei, Kapolei Sunset, West Honolulu, Kaneohe, and Pau Hana joined in, and roasted eight turkeys, provided all the Thanksgiving fixings with pumpkin pie, canned juice, and a Goodie Bag for each child. 
   The following year in 2020, our event became a “grab and go” Thanksgiving bento distribution and we added the farmers at the Kunia site.  Rotary members from Ewa Beach and Pearlridge joined in. In 2021, we repeated the same. This year in 2022, we’ve seen the numbers increase at the Kalihi site with more clients from Ukraine. For the Kalihi site clients we will distribute $15 WalMart gift cards for each adult in each household, plus snack bags for the children. For the Kunia farmers, we will continue the Thanksgiving bento distribution with pumpkin pie, canned juice and snack bags for the children during their farmers meeting on Weds., Nov. 23rd. 
   Organizer Sonya Mendez wrote to PGC, "It is our way of saying Thank you for showing us what hope, perseverence and determination looks like…thank you for being an example to all of us that the human spirit can never be broken, when you know in your heart and soul that a better life awaits you…thank you.”
 
Message from PGC: Dear Sonya, To all the Rotarians who shared joy, goodness, kindness and love to PGC's clients this holiday season.  We are so deeply appreciative of your generosity and aloha. All the joys of the season to all of you!   Each of you make each year memorable for all of us! With aloha, Pacific Gateway Center.
  
              

Pacific Gateway Center’s steadfast purpose is to serve the disadvantaged, uprooted and the displaced.  Since our founding in 1973, our story has been defined by the meaningful and effective ways we empower Hawaii’s low-income residents, immigrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations in rebuilding their lives with hope, respect, dignity. PGC is a partner affiliate of the United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).