LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Food Bank is trying to surpass its 2003 goal during the 2004 Spring Fund and Food Drive which begins in early March. Kaua‘i Food Bank Board President Paul Douglass announced the campaign start at a mahalo
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Food Bank is trying to surpass its 2003 goal during the 2004 Spring Fund and Food Drive which begins in early March.
Kaua‘i Food Bank Board President Paul Douglass announced the campaign start at a mahalo celebration held at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall Wednesday morning.
Douglass told the gathering that the 2003 year was a record-breaking year, while setting the goal for the 2004 Drive at $20,000.
Mickie Diamant, the food bank’s community development officer, reminded people that for every dollar they contribute, the Kaua‘i Food Bank is able to distribute $16 worth of food to Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau people who might otherwise go hungry.
The gathering served not only as a kickoff for the Spring campaign, but also to recognize the efforts of community volunteers who put in a combined 13,000 volunteer hours in 2003.
Labeled the “cookie and cracker lady,” Anthony Koerte, the Kaua‘i Food Bank’s warehouse supervisor, presented Gladys Oshiro with a plaque for her 190 hours of volunteerism, most of that time spent stocking the cookie and cracker sections to the brim.
Linda Wong was recognized for her 211 hours of service to the Nawiliwili facility, and Charles Song was recognized as the Top Volunteer with 250 hours of service, Koerte asking the audience to do the math to realize the cost savings to the Kaua‘i Food Bank volunteerism serves.
David Kalahiki, the event host as well as representing Kaua‘i Fresh, the Kaua‘i Food Bank’s produce section, recognized Rainbow Gardens for their contribution of over 13,000 pounds of fresh sprouts that went towards the food bank’s goal of feeding Kaua‘i’s hungry.
Also recognized were agencies that were responsible for distributing food to those who need it, Nana’s House in Waimea receiving a third place plaque for their efforts which amounts to serving about 750 people a month with 37,000 pounds of food distributed in 2003.
St. Michael’s Church was recognized with a second place plaque for their efforts which sees about 1,000 people fed monthly through the distribution of 49,000 pounds of food in 2003.
Aloha Church, whose Grace Galiza expressed her pride in being part of the team to help feed Kaua‘i’s hungry, topped the agency recognition with over 1,000 people being served each month, and 76,000 pounds of food distributed last year.
Top Grocer Donor awards were announced by Kelvin Moniz who said Safeway was the largest donor followed by Big Save, Inc., and Foodland. Papaya’s was the largest of the small business donors.
The Kaua‘i Food Bank 2004 Spring Healthy Food and Fund Drive sponsors include the County of Kaua‘i, The Garden Island newspaper, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Aloha Furniture Warehouse, Kaua‘i Lumber Company and the Kaua‘i Community Federal Credit Union.
The mahalo banquet was made possible through the efforts of the County of Kaua‘i, Lihue Court Town Homes, Kauai Nursery and Landscaping, and Diversified Awards and Engraving.
