LIHU‘E — A Coke and Pepsi challenge on Kaua‘i benefited the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank Holiday Food and Fund Drive when KIFB crews picked up more than 400 pounds of food, Friday morning.
“This is perfect,” said Kelvin Moniz, KIFB food resources director. “The food comes just ahead of the holidays when demand rises.”
Several weeks ago, Ralph Suniga, Kaua‘i manager of the Coca Cola Refreshment Kaua‘i, contributed 299 pounds of food to the KIFB, courtesy of an in-house food drive conducted in conjunction with its Employee Week celebration.
The drive sparked Mark Lauer, Kaua‘i Island Manager of Pepsi Beverage Co., to respond with a similar employee food drive by Pepsi Beverage Co. resulting in a collection of 435 pounds of food which was picked up Friday by the KIFB.
“We’ll be doing more,” Lauer said, content in knowing his company’s efforts resulted in more food collected. “It’s a good feeling to know that efforts like this benefits the community.”
Moniz said efforts like the challenge between Coke and Pepsi are beneficial to the drive, noting the 2-for-1 challenge ends Oct. 31.
Under that challenge, an anonymous donor will match any monetary contribution of $150 with double the amount.
“People can get together to come up with the $150 amount which, under the 2-for-1 match, amounts to $450 for the KIFB,” Moniz said. “They have until Oct. 31 to take advantage of this challenge.”
Similar benefits to KIFB contributors exist at the Kaua‘i Mini Golf in Kilauea where, from Oct. 15 through Nov. 15, any contribution of non-perishable food items to the KMG food drop will earn a dollar discount on a round of golf.
On Nov.4, during The Live Laugh Aloha Festival, entrants to the kendama tournament become eligible through a canned good donation for the KIFB.
The tournament is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. with registration taking place from 3 p.m.
Similarly, registration to the NBC Basketball Clinic hosted by The “W” of Kaua‘i benefits the KIFB holiday drive when it accepts contributions to the KIFB during its Nov. 10 and 12 clinics for youth ages 9 through 18 years old, and coaches.
Moniz said Bertram Almeida is also in the process of organizing a motocross event where KIFB will be the beneficiary.
“These efforts help the holiday food and fund drive,” Moniz said. “Currently, the drive is on track for its goals of 40,000 pounds of food and $40,000.”
People can contribute to the drive by dropping off non-perishable food items and canned goods at any fire station located around the island, or at the KIFB facility in Nawiliwili during its weekday operating hours.
Sponsors of the KIFB Holiday Food and Fund Drive include First Hawaiian Bank, Lappert’s Hawai‘i, the Grove Farm Co., KQNG Radio, the Garden Island newspaper, State Farm Insurance Mike Kaneda and Mike Martinez, PS&D, the Kaua‘i Community Federal Credit Union, Napa Auto Parts, FM97, H Hawai‘i Media and the County of Kaua‘i Fire Department.
Visit www.kauaifoodbank.org or call 246-3809 for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
