Kelvin Moniz has been appointed executive director of the Kauai Independent Food Bank, said Rowena Cobb, KIFB board president. “Selecting Kelvin as the executive director for KIFB was an easy choice,” Cobb said in an email. “Kelvin’s deep passion in
Kelvin Moniz has been appointed executive director of the Kauai Independent Food Bank, said Rowena Cobb, KIFB board president.
“Selecting Kelvin as the executive director for KIFB was an easy choice,” Cobb said in an email. “Kelvin’s deep passion in eradicating hunger on Kauai has always been prominent during his 15 years at the KIFB. His involvement in the community, the upcoming term as the district governor for the Lions Club organization, and refereeing youth football games, including the championship games in Honolulu, did not diminish his drive, or time, devoted to reaching out to those in need. We are extremely fortunate to have Kelvin as KIFB’s executive director.”
KIFB, recently meeting its 2013 Holiday Food and Fund Drive goal, was started in 1994 by a group of community people concerned about the large number of people left homeless and unemployed in the aftermath of Hurricane Iniki in September of 1992.
“My passion is to ensure that no one goes hungry on Kauai,” Moniz, who had been serving as the KIFB interim director, said. “We have great partnerships with local farmers and area grocers which help KIFB provide nutritious food to keiki and seniors.”
KIFB’s “Growing Food Together” program is a partnership with local farmers on Kauai who produce fruit and vegetables to help the many who are in need and hungry.
One of Moniz’s priorities as the new director is to find creative ways to reach more seniors with nutritious food offerings through the KIFB Senior Program, including the recently formed Kupaa Kokua Kupuna program.
That program allows elderly belonging to group organizations to shop free once a month.
Another area he plans to look at is the expansion of the successful youth programs including the Keiki Cafe and Backpack programs which service youth throughout the island.
Currently, KIFB distributes more than 16,000 nutritious servings each month through its various programs, including the Keiki Cafe, various backpack programs and the Kupaa Kokua Kupuna program.
“I plan on meeting with donors, grocers and other local businesses to increase their understanding of KIFB’s mission and let them know how they can help eradicate hunger on Kauai,” Moniz said.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
