The Hawaii Lodging &Tourism Association, in partnership with the Hawaii Tourism Authority, distributed $61,000 Thursday to seven Big Island nonprofits that serve the homeless.

The recipients were Catholic Charities Hawaii, Habitat for Humanity, Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, Hawaii Food Basket, Hawaii Island Home for Recovery, Hope Services Hawaii, and The Salvation Army.

The organizations, which have been serving the homeless on Hawaii Island in tourism-impacted areas, were all selected by the HLTA based on county chapter input and subject to final approval by the state board.

HLTA president &CEO Mufi Hannemann and HTA president &CEO Chris Tatum presented the grants at a ceremony held at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. They were joined by HLTA Hawaii Island Chapter Chair Craig Anderson.

Read the news article direct through West Hawaii Today here.