NAWILIWILI — The demand for food during the holidays has increased, said Kelvin Moniz, executive director for the Kauai Independent Food Bank.
“Not only is it the holidays, people living from paycheck to paycheck, the homeless, and those who are not quite making what they need are coming in for emergency food,” he said. “This is in addition to the regular Keiki Cafe, backpack, and kupuna programs.”
Moniz said an anonymous donor recently allowed KIFB to purchase holiday turkeys to present to families of keiki participating in the backpack program at the two Hawaiian immersion charter schools located on Kauai’s Westside.
“We have another round of turkeys to go with other charter schools,” Moniz said. “But we need to wait on more turkeys to arrive.”
In answer to the increased demand from the senior programs, and especially the emergency food program, food and dollar contributions have come in, Moniz said.
Recently, the Marriott ‘Ohana on Kauai dropped off more than 6,400 pounds of food, and an additional $3,000 from the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club during a Marriott food drive that ended with the delivery to the KIFB facility on the day before Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas presented KIFB with a 2,668-pound contribution.
“Our Westin Princeville ‘ohana is passionate about supporting our Kauai community,” said Denise Wardlow, Westin Princeville general manager. “We are delighted to continue our support of Kauai Independent Food Bank as we do every year through our annual Holiday Drive, as well as throughout the year by collecting nonperishable items from our owners and guests for monthly donations.”
Moniz said the contributions by the Marriott ‘Ohana bring the holiday drive to about half of its goals with more time remaining before the Dec. 31 cutoff.
The KIFB team will be joined by volunteers from the Kauai High School Leo Club, and Key Club as well as Lions from the East Kauai Lions Club, and the Kauai Lions Club in hosting a food collection day, Saturday.
“We’ll be at both the Kukui Grove Center, and the Walmart store,” Moniz said. “The fishnets will go out from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at both sites.”
KIFB’s goal for the holiday healthy food and fund drive is 45,000 pounds and $45,000.
