Ivanka Trump made a secret trip to Maui a few weeks ago to distribute meals and essential supplies to residents still recovering from the devastating wildfires.
The former first daughter joined CityServe International on a humanitarian mission in which they distributed 250,000 pre-packaged meals to displaced families affected by the largest wildfire in U.S. history.
They visited a Lahaina church that serves as a food pantry and met residents working to rebuild their lives.
Wearing a blank tank top and green cargo pants, Trump wore a name tag reading “Iva” as she handed out fresh, locally grown produce on Maui.
Ivanka Trump secretly traveled to Maui a few weeks ago to distribute food and supplies to people displaced by the wildfires.
During her visit, Ivanka Trump handed out fresh vegetables, delivered pre-packaged supplies and posed for photos.
“His humble presence lifted spirits and reminded Lahaina residents that they are not forgotten,” CityServe said in a statement.
“Amidst the tears shed, there are tangible signs of hope and love, and with the arrival of meals and supplies, our partners and team stood alongside Ivanka, lifting boxes of supplies, consoling survivors and distributed meals to those who lost everything.
There are approximately 6,000 displaced residents staying in hotels on Maui, while another 1,100 are staying in Airbnb rentals.
Ivanka Trump and the group distributed food, water, local produce, gift cards and other needed supplies to displaced families and people staying in hotels, local distribution centers and guards. eat near Lahaina, CityServe reported.
The group also provides gas cards and air filters to residents, who are advised not to drink water and stay away from fire-damaged areas.
Trump also used his connections to get other businesses to donate goods to Maui, according to CityServe.
Next week, a 747 full of $1 million worth of supplies will head to Maui with electric bikes, electric scooters, electronics, toys, dry foods, small appliances, ukuleles And several pallets of Jockey clothing — “all because of Ivanka’s connection,” the group said.
Wildfires are contained across the island, but damage remains on the 2,170 acres burned. The death toll stands at 97 and 66 people are still missing.
Ivanka Trump meets with displaced people. During her trip to Maui with CityServe, she helped distribute 250,000 pre-packaged meals.
Ivanka Trump also visited a Lahaina church that serves as a food pantry
The Maui burn area remains restricted to authorized personnel while officials clean up ashes and other potentially hazardous debris. An estimated 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed.
The cleanup could take months. The first estimate of the cost is $5.5 billion.
Visitors were originally asked to stay away so officials and residents could focus on cleanup efforts on the West Coast.
Tourism is a major driver of Hawaii’s economy, and the Maui wildfire saw state officials lower their economic growth forecast for 2023 to 1.1%, down from 1.8% previously.
But to help bring in needed dollars, much of West Maui will reopen to tourists. Oct. 8, under a new wildfire emergency proclamation signed last week by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.
Visitors will be asked to stay away from Lahaina and the damaged east coast.
On this side of Maui, residents of Lahaina, Kula and surrounding areas are advised to use only bottled water or drinking water supplied by tanker trucks.
Ivanka Trump wore a badge reading “Iva” while handing out food
Ivanka Trump carries supplies to distribute
The former first daughter also posed for photos with residents
Charred remains of homes are visible following the Lahaina wildfire
Students will not be able to return to class until mid-October. About 3,000 students from Lahaina’s four public schools were displaced by the fires.
Ivanka Trump has been a CityServe partner for almost four years.
She worked with them during the COVID pandemic to provide food to those in need.
She also helped the group send 1 million meals to Ukrainians and traveled to Poland with them to help refugees.
The former first daughter left politics — although she supports Donald Trump’s bid for a second term in the White House, she is not campaigning for him — and focused on charity work and raising her three children with her husband Jared Kushner.
The Kushner/Trump clan moved to Florida after leaving Washington DC, where Jared and Ivanka worked as advisors in President Trump’s administration.
