Kawai Gampon did not realize how far his efforts to help feed hungry children on Kaua‘i would reach. After weeks of fund-raising and bake sales, Kawai was able to present a combined $1,200 to the Kaua‘i Food Bank and The
Kawai Gampon did not realize how far his efforts to help feed hungry children on Kaua‘i would reach.
After weeks of fund-raising and bake sales, Kawai was able to present a combined $1,200 to the Kaua‘i Food Bank and The Salvation Army.
Judy Lenthall, director of the Kaua‘i Food Bank, and Capt. Mitham Clement of The Salvation Army both accepted $600 checks on behalf of their respective organizations yesterday.
Kawai, a fourth-grader at King Kaumuali‘i School, first learned about the plight of hungry children through a program on the Food Network, which discussed various ways young people can help combat child hunger.
Chris Gampon, Kawai‘s dad, said that after Kawai watched the program on child hunger on the Food Network, he offered to give up part of his allowance to help feed young people.
“He actually funded his own fund-raiser,” Chris Gampon said. “He was willing to give up his allowance to help other children.”
But Raydene Gampon said what really impressed Kawai was a visit to the Kokua Soup Kitchen, administered by the Salvation Army.
There he met Mary McFarland, the soup kitchen manager, who explained what it takes to feed the island’s hungry. Beyond the talk, Kawai got to see young children waiting in the line.
After the visit, he told McFarland about his fund-raising efforts, concerned that what he could do would probably not amount to much.
“She told him, ‘If you can only raise $5, then I’d be honored to accept $2.50,’” Raydene Gampon said.
Chris Gampon said that at McDonald’s, where the family enjoyed a meal following their visit to the Kokua Soup Kitchen, Kawai looked at what they ordered and said, “For what we are eating, we could have fed all the people at the soup kitchen.”
A family discussion resulted in a plan for the fund-raiser.
Raydene Gampon, Kawai’s mom, said the original goal was $600, which was to be split between both the Salvation Army and the Kaua‘i Food Bank. But the ambitious Kaua‘i kid ended up raising twice that.
Kawai enlisted the help of his uncle, chef Mark Sassone of the Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort, who in turn got the culinary department of the hotel to contribute their time and effort in helping Kawai by baking brownies and creating bottles of seasoned salts.
“Those bottles are far-reaching,” Chris Gampon, Kawai‘s dad, said. “Some went to Germany, some to Spain, and people from all around responded to Kawai’s plea for help that he posted on a family Web site.”
Chris Gampon said the effort was more influential than the family realized.
“One of the team moms for Kaua‘i High School heard about Kawai’s efforts and said, ‘If he can do all that, we should be able to do something, too,’” Raydene Gampon said.
As a result, the entire Red Raider cheer squad turned out to volunteer at one of the kitchens.
Mary McFarland’s husband, Bud, was returning with a load of donated food from the Hukilau Lanai in preparation for the next day’s lunch.
He said on average, the Lihu‘e Kokua Soup Kitchen serves about 90 adults for dinner Tuesday nights, and between 70 to 90 meals for lunch on Thursdays.
“That number grows during the holiday season and toward the end of the month when funds start running out,” Lenthall said.
Lenthall is gearing up for the Food Bank’s annual holiday food and fund drive, which will kick off Oct. 10 and run through Dec. 15.
“Everyone is really proud of what Kawai did,” Raydene said. “This has been a great experience for all of us.”
Chris Gampon said that Kawai’s efforts resulted in his being able to help feed people right here on Kaua‘i, instead of sending it to the Food Network.
“You don’t realize how many hungry people there are right here in our own backyard,” Raydene Gampon said.
But for the young man and his sister, Isabel, their T-shirts said it all — I can Make a Difference! Help end Childhood Hunger.
