NAWILIWILI — It might not have looked like much, but Judy Lenthall was ecstatic. The director of the Kaua‘i Food Bank was looking at a small pallet neatly stacked with bags of rice and shrink-wrapped for the trip from the
NAWILIWILI — It might not have looked like much, but Judy Lenthall was ecstatic.
The director of the Kaua‘i Food Bank was looking at a small pallet neatly stacked with bags of rice and shrink-wrapped for the trip from the Pioneer Hi-Bred International facility on the Westside.
“We need rice,” Lenthall said.
Employees of the Kekaha Parent Seed section of Pioneer Hi-Bred conducted a food drive which resulted in a contribution of more than 1,200 pounds of food and some $305 in financial contributions, said Joni Ito.
Starting about three weeks ago, the drive was spearheaded by the Kekaha Parent Seed section and culminated with the delivery of the money and food to the Nawiliwili food bank facility yesterday under sunny skies as opposed to the dismal windy and rainy conditions which blanketed the island since Sunday.
Ito said the drive was a result of 28 of the firm’s employees.
“This puts the Holiday Food and Fund Drive to about the quarter mark,” said Kelvin Moniz of the food bank. “In addition to the Pioneer Hi-Bred contribution, there are other firms conducting drives as well.”
Those agencies include the Marriott International ‘ohana, Wilcox Hospital, KQNG Radio, and on tap, the Food Fest which kicks off Saturday at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center.
For a contribution of money, or canned goods, patrons are able to enjoy cuisine from participating vendors while taking in entertainment at the mall’s center stage area from 11 a.m. until about 2 p.m.
One entertainer making an appearance on the entertainment slate is Augie T who will be taking his show to the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center starting at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Moniz said that concert is also open to the public who can enjoy the antics of the comedian for a dollar admission, or one canned good.
In addition to the special events, people can contribute to the Holiday Food and Fund Drive by dropping off items at any of the Kaua‘i fire stations and at the Nawiliwili Kaua‘i Food Bank office, Moniz said.
Currently, the drive, which has a goal of 40,000 pounds of food and $40,000, reached its 9,000-pound mark in food contributions, Moniz said. He was uncertain of the dollar amount raised, but noted that the Food Collection Day that kicked off the holiday drive in October netted a record amount.
As Ito and Audie Bernardino prepared to return to their Westside home base, a volunteer at the food bank spied the pallet and exclaimed, “We really need rice!”
