LIHUE — The tambo tambo was gone, there was just one container of sushi rice remaining, and some bittermelon greens and fruits to enhance the remaining pieces of rummage at the Garden Island Federal Credit Union Friday morning. “You see?”
LIHUE — The tambo tambo was gone, there was just one container of sushi rice remaining, and some bittermelon greens and fruits to enhance the remaining pieces of rummage at the Garden Island Federal Credit Union Friday morning.
“You see?” said Flo Tazaki to Mary Jane Omi. “You needed to make more. Everyone is asking for the tambo tambo. All we have is bibingka. But we brought in some bittermelon because the space was getting too big since everything sold.”
Proceeds from the rummage sale, which started the first Friday in July and was held on each Friday through July 14, were earmarked for the Kauai Credit Unions’ Fifteen for Fifteen campaign to benefit the Kauai Independent Food Bank.
The goal of the food drive campaign was to raise $15,000 in 15 weekdays through the efforts of all the credit unions on Kauai.
“Our goal was $4,000,” said Stephanie Shinno of GIFCU following the first rummage and bake goods sale. “We’re in pretty good shape for our goal following the first sale.”
Corinne King of the Kauai Government Employees Federal Credit Union was also pleased with the performance of its fundraising efforts.
“We’re going to break records,” King said Friday. “Our kids are fantastic. They were out last week and collected a bunch of money. Today, they’re going at it again.”
The children belong to KGEFCU associates and volunteered to man fishnets in the parking lot outside the credit union under the supervision of team leaders Naomi Ikimaka and Michele Curnan.
“Are we going to be in the paper?” asked Amaziah Siale. “Is the paper going to be on the Westside? When do we know?”
A few steps down the parking lot, the Kauai Teachers Federal Credit Union hosted its first country store for the 15 for 15 campaign.
“Our goal was $350 to $400,” said Conrad Rualizo. “But our members donated all these products — fresh pineapple grown in Kalaheo, different kinds of avocado, and big papaya. This goes along with the baked goods, all contributed by our members, so we can host our first country store. And, we have food in the back which members contributed, too.”
Kelvin Moniz, KIFB executive director, said the Kauai Community Federal Credit Union got more donations from him than he had planned by offering an insulated water container for a donation to the 15 for 15 campaign.
Other reports stated that KCFCU offered a Hawaiian plate lunch on Friday as well.
“It’s all for a good cause,” said one customer at the Kauai Teachers FCU, coming in from the North Shore to pick up fresh pineapples and avocado. “I have a pregnant daughter, so we need to get her avocado. But everything is for a good cause — the Keiki Cafe program is great.”
Final tallies from all of the credit unions will be available at a later date.
