Melaleuca Responds to Maui Wildfires with Cash, Food, Generators, Relief Supplies

Melaleuca donated products being loaded up

In early August, an especially dry summer and high winds from Hurricane Dora to the south contributed to one of the worst natural disasters that the people of Hawaii have ever experienced. A deadly wildfire on Maui spread with astonishing speed, engulfing the historic harbor town of Lahaina with little warning. Over 102 deaths were confirmed.

Our hearts, prayers and thoughts go out to those who have been affected by this devastating fire. We mourn for all who are suffering in Maui, and we are committed to supporting the relief efforts as the island of Maui heals.

Watch a video story about Melaleuca’s disaster response to help the people of Maui. This story was broadcast by KIFI-TV (ABC) on Aug. 22, 2023.

Melaleuca’s First Wave of Action

Without wasting a minute, Melaleuca Executive Chairman Frank VanderSloot, CEO Jerry Felton and President Cole Clinger sprang into action, making a series of decisions that created Melaleuca’s multi-pronged approach to this relief effort. So far, Melaleuca and Frank VanderSloot have donated more than $135,000 in cash, food and relief supplies, and they have plans to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars more over the coming days to Maui’s recovery.

Because of their urgency, Melaleuca was one of the very first companies to arrive on Maui with assistance. Within 24 hours, Melaleuca donated more than $25,000 in personal hygiene kits and healthy snack foods to those running temporary shelters.

To accomplish this so quickly, Melaleuca chartered a private cargo plane to fly from Melaleuca’s Oahu warehouse to the Maui airport.

Melaleuca donated products being unloaded

“In the midst of turmoil, Melaleuca came to our rescue by delivering food and grooming products for those staying in our emergency shelters,” said Paul McDonald, who led a shelter in Kahului housing hundreds of people. “Both the speed and quality of Melaleuca’s donation were a breath of fresh air, offering hope and a reminder that we’re not alone. We appreciate their compassion to our crisis.”

A few days later, the American Red Cross specifically called to ask Melaleuca for healthy snack bars as their Maui warehouse inventory was running low. We were happy to air ship 6,500 Simply Fit, Attain and Proflex protein bars at the exact time and place that the Maui Red Cross needed it.

Donated Melaleuca Products

Beyond the shelters, our products were handed out to families in need who are a part of the Melaleuca family.

Anne Komatsu, a Melaleuca Marketing Executive from Honolulu, felt compelled to help as soon as she saw the dire situation. Anne flew to Maui and supported Melaleuca’s relief effort by delivering our care packages to customers around Lahaina over several days.

Melaleuca marking execative making care bags

After receiving a shipment of donated Melaleuca products, Marketing Executives in Maui assembled and gave away care packages to families in need.

Additionally, Melaleuca bought 16 generators in Kauai and flew them to Maui. These generators were distributed to families who could remain in their homes near Lahaina but who didn't have power or water.

Some of these generators went to Melaleuca customers, while others went to community members with no affiliation to our company. In those cases, local leaders recommended individuals who have a reputation for putting others before themselves.

generators donated by Melaleuca

Melaleuca sent 16 generators to help families in need in Lahaina.

Melaleuca also took care of Melaleuca customers and a few community members by providing them with $1,000 in cash. The company dedicated funds to support 40 families who lost everything in the fire, helping them to purchase essential supplies to bridge the gap until they could receive additional services.

Melaleuca Director of Aloha Jeff Putman, who resides in Kauai, made multiple trips to Maui so far. During his first trip, Jeff visited several shelters to assess the immediate needs of the people, and on a second trip he drove to wherever families were staying to personally distribute Melaleuca products and these cash envelopes.

“Our Melaleuca customers are incredibly grateful to receive emergency funds,” Putnam said. “Several expressed tears of joy. None of them expected this kind of gift, so they were overcome by the generosity of the Melaleuca family. While visiting with them, I noticed that several families, despite having lost everything, were in the process of serving their neighbors. Their compassion truly embodies the spirit of the Hawaiian people.”

melaleuca donates emergency funds

Melaleuca Director of Aloha Jeff Putnam gives an envelope with $1,000 to a family who lost everything in the devastating Maui wildfire.

Feeding Those Who Lost Everything in Maui Wildfires

To feed the people after the wildfires in Maui destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, Frank initially donated 5,000 pounds of beef from the meat processing plant that he owns in Oahu. He later donated an additional 15,000 pounds of beef to help those in need. Frank’s personal donation exceeded $240,000.

His company, Hawaii Sustainable Beef, worked extensively with Chef Hui, a collaborative of chefs, farmers and co-producers from across Hawaii, as well as Maui Rapid Response, a group of nonprofit and government agencies that come together during natural disasters. A volunteer army prepared tens of thousands of meals for families in need.

Meet at Frank VanderSloot;s meat processing plant

Frank’s first critical donation was shipped on a large barge from Oahu to Maui. After it was cooked by dozens of local chefs and volunteers at the University of Hawaii Maui College Culinary Arts facility, it nourished the people of Maui through distribution in a network of food trucks, soup kitchens and American Red Cross and Salvation Army shelters.

Frank’s first donation was estimated to provide enough protein to feed thousands of people for an entire week.

And his second shipment of beef was sufficient to feed the community for several weeks!

A Second Wave of Relief

Melaleuca set up a hotline for Melaleuca customers to donate to Maui relief. Melaleuca customers donated more than $43,000 to this specific fund within the Melaleuca Foundation. Melaleuca, Inc. pledged to double their donations, bringing the total donation to $86,000.

There are no administrative charges, so 100% of all donations to this particular fund went helping the people of Maui.

Red Cross Bridge Assistance

Melaleuca worked with the Hawaii Red Cross through a program called bridge financial assistance. Generally occurring months after a disaster, bridge assistance helps families and individuals overcome significant recovery roadblocks as they rebuild their lives. The funds from this program went to victims who were directly affected by the wildfires and still recovering after losing their homes. Even months after the wildfires, the Red Cross was still housing up to two thousand families in hotels and Airbnbs.

A total donation of $56,700 from Melaleuca was used to help these families find new homes. The donation was also used for various purchases that enabled families to get back to normal. Funds might have helped a family with a transportation need, helped them buy tools for work or a uniform, or provided electrical and water hook-ups when they finally relocated.

Melaleuca has been working with the Red Cross for many years and has developed a close relationship with the organization. We know and trust many good individuals within the Red Cross, which has hundreds of trained responders and case workers on the ground. The American Red Cross thoroughly vets people to ensure they qualify for these funds.

New Generators for the Red Cross

In addition, generators were given to the Hawaii Red Cross to be used in their disaster-preparedness kits. These kits are strategically placed throughout the islands in the most disaster-prone areas, and the previous equipment in the kits was becoming outdated. This part of Melaleuca’s donation will ensure that when the next disaster strikes, Hawaiians will be even more prepared to help themselves.

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