Spring food drive bearing fruit … and food

A second-grader at Koloa Elementary School recently donated a total of 51 pounds of food to the food bank and she only weighs 48 pounds herself, states a press release.

Akime Perreira’s donation was accepted by Judy Lenthall, executive director, Kauai Food Bank, for the 13th Annual Spring Healthy Food and Fund Drive that continues until April 30.

A food drive bag and envelope is in today’s edition of The Garden Island so any member of the community can contribute.

Non-perishable food donations can be dropped at any fire station on Kauai, as well as the food bank warehouse in Nawiliwili to help feed the people of Kaua‘i.

The goal of the drive this year is 40,000 pounds of food and $40,000 worth of monetary donations.

“Akime’s donation equals about 68 meals for the needy,” Lenthall said in the release. “At my weight, I’d have to contribute over 210 meals to beat her record.”

This is the second year Akime has organized a food drive for her class, and 15 of her classmates participated this year.

“When I grow up,” Akime said in the release, “I want to work at the food bank and be the executive director.”

Akime’s mother, Dee Perreira, said in the release, “Akime has such a great outlook on life.

She needs to help others before she helps herself and over the years, I have seen her heart grow with each act of compassion.”

The Kauai Food Bank feeds about 5,000 people each month, half of whom are children and 25 percent are elderly.

Over 60 non-profit agencies and churches depend on the food bank for their feeding programs to serve the community.

This year, over 200 food drive coordinators were recruited from government agencies, the private sector, and churches to combat hunger in Kaua‘i County. For every $1 donated to the food bank, about $7 worth of groceries can be distributed.

For more information about becoming a food drive coordinator, call the Kauai Food Bank at 246-3809.