Donation of artwork helps out Food Bank

NAWILIWILI — A donated piece of art has raised $3,500 for the Kaua‘i Food Bank at a time when funding is low and needs are high.

Local artist Brigitte D’Annibale originally donated the piece to be auctioned off during the Kaua‘i Marathon on Labor Day weekend. On Thursday, Kaua‘i Marathon leaders Jeff Sacchini and Bob Craver contributed the money from the sale to the food bank.

Kelvin Moniz, the food bank’s operations manager, said the gesture was initiated through the efforts of Kaua‘i County Councilman Dickie Chang who accompanied the dignitaries to the presentation.

“This is badly needed,” Moniz said. “It helps with the annual Holiday Food and Fund Drive.”

With the generous contribution, Moniz said the holiday drive has reached about 50 percent of its $40,000 goal.

But the contributions of non-perishable foods lag far behind its goal of 40,000 pounds, Moniz said.

“We have about 7,000 pounds that have been turned in so far,” he said. “With the holidays approaching, the need for food goes up as people try to enjoy the holidays without having to sacrifice other items so they can eat.”

Although people can contribute monetarily, the process to buy the food diminishes the effect of dwindling supplies in the Nawiliwili facility, Moniz said.

“We have several groups that are working on food drives, but we really need non-perishable food,” he said.

The Kaua‘i Food Bank Holiday Food and Fund drive continues through Dec. 15. People wishing to contribute can do so at any of the fire stations located around the island or by stopping by the food bank’s facility in Nawiliwili. There is a drop box located outside the building for contributions that are made after operating hours.

For more information, visit www.kauaifoodbank.org.

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.