LIHUE — Willow Tolentino wanted to help she told her mother. Monday, Tolentino and her mother dropped off a bag of groceries to Leona Perez, the Kauai Independent Food Bank’s programs manager in Nawiliwili.
Those groceries were part of the 3,000 pounds of food taken by Malama Kauai from the Kauai Independent Food Bank to the North Shore which was devastated by a weekend of record-breaking rains.
“Malama Kauai said they plan on launching boats from Anini to get the food to the affected areas,” said Kelvin Moniz, KIFB executive director.
Food relief took place less than 24 hours following the devastation as Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch, shipped out four pallets of food Sunday afternoon, said Wes Perreira, the Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch director.
Food continued to be dropped off, and the phones kept ringing, as Perez fielded a call about concern for kupuna stranded in the area.
“The biggest need is water,” Perez said. “And ready-to-eat nonperishable, preferably canned food. We also need propane because there are areas with no electricity, and people need to cook.”
Gather Federal Credit Union, recently re-branded from the Kauai Community Federal Credit Union, dropped off checks of $500 each to the Kauai Independent Food Bank, and the Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch. Both food banks also reported contributions from anonymous donors.
“These funds are going to be used to get food which is needed by the people in the affected areas,” Moniz said.
Perreira said the Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch has been working to collect food since Sunday when the first shipments were delivered despite the frustrations of disaster relief and recovery.
Drop sites are at the Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo, the HA Coffee Shop, Walmart, Bubba Burgers in Kapaa, the Kalalea Market in Anahola, and the Fruit Stand in Moloaa where Malama Kauai has been collecting.
Perreira said with the help of its partner donors, Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch had already delivered 16,010 pounds of fresh produce, eggs, water, bread products, and snacks, and more through Monday afternoon.
Affecting the relief and recovery efforts, both food banks are also in the midst of their respective collection days as part of its normal operations.
The Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch will host its 29th annual Food Drive Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at different sites around the island.
“We are trying to keep things separate between the food drive and disaster relief,” Perreira said. “People should specify on their checks where the funds are going to.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
