LIHU‘E — People calling in for insurance quotes from Geico Insurance earned the Kaua‘i Food Bank more than 3,000 bags of rice. That contribution, in the sum of $2,000 was turned over to Judy Lenthall, KFB director, and Kelvin Moniz,
LIHU‘E — People calling in for insurance quotes from Geico Insurance earned the Kaua‘i Food Bank more than 3,000 bags of rice.
That contribution, in the sum of $2,000 was turned over to Judy Lenthall, KFB director, and Kelvin Moniz, KFB operations manager, during a live radio broadcast on the Ron Wiley show on KQNG FM93.5.
Moniz said the rice was purchased in 10-pound bags because of its ease in distribution, and the $2000 represents 3,060 bags of rice which had already been purchased and was in the distribution network.
Rice is one of the Top 8 products in demand by patrons to the Kaua‘i Food Bank and Moniz said this contribution counts towards the Spring Healthy Food and Fund drive which kicked off March 1.
“This has been a really good start,” Moniz said. “So far, we’ve gotten $3,100 in cash contributions and now, more than 3,000 pounds of food.”
The goal for the Spring food and fund drive is $40,000 and 40,000 pounds of food which KFB is asking people to give “If can, can.”
Jesse Corbett of Geico said the amount represents a pledge made by Geico earlier in the year.
Under that commitment, if people called in for a quote, a designated amount would be earmarked for contribution to the Kaua‘i Food Bank.
“It didn’t matter if they bought a policy, or not,” Corbett said. “If they simply called for a quote, that triggered the contribution.”
Lenthall welcomed the contribution, noting that demand for food is up, and the recent tsunami threat only brings out the need for food as one of the missions of the KFB is to help out in the event of natural disasters.
When tsunami warning sirens went off at 6 a.m., last Saturday, Kaua‘i Food Bank volunteers scrambled into action, trying to get food off the lower levels onto higher shelves in the event a wave would come ashore.
“We need a permanent facility,” Moniz said in an earlier radio interview. “We need hope because it is our job to give hope to those who need us.”
The Kaua‘i Food Bank responded to more than 6,600 emergency food requests in each month of 2009 with almost one third of those requests being children, states a release from the food bank.
Moniz said volunteers are still needed for the one-day Food Collection Day blitz scheduled for April 17 at locations island-wide.
The spring food and fund drive is being sponsored by Arroyo Plumbing, Aqua Engineering, Big Save Inc., First Hawaiian Bank, The Garden Island newspaper, Ho‘ike Community Television, Kaua‘i Lumber, Koga Engineering & Construction, KQNG Radio Group, PS&D, Ron’s Electric, Wala‘au Productions, and The Gas Co.
Contributions can be dropped off at any of the fire stations located island-wide, or at the Nawiliwili food bank facility.
For more information, call 246-3809, or visit www.kauaifoodbank.org.
