Eleele School is one of two schools where the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai Branch launched its school pantry program Friday afternoon.
“We have five schools in the program,” said Chyenne Beach of the Hawaii Foodbank. “Kilauea Elementary School also got their first load today.”
The other schools include Koloa School, which started on Aug. 9, and Kauai High School, which started on Aug. 14. Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School will be starting in September.
Under the Eleele School program coordinated between the school’s Parent Community Networking Center coordinator, volunteers from the Eleele Baptist Church and the Hawaii Foodbank, students have a two-part offering — snacks on a daily basis with distribution based on school officials, and a periodic food package.
“This is really good,” said Wes Perreira, Hawaii Foodbank Kauai Branch manager. “Eleele Baptist Church is already a partner agency and will take over watching the school pantry supplies and distribution. This makes it easier on everyone.”
In Eleele School’s case, the distribution is done every other week, while other schools can offer weekly distributions.
Food in the to-go bag includes a canned protein, a canned meal, mac and cheese, a canned fruit or vegetable, and a healthy snack. These are available to students as determined by each school.
Perreira said they set up the program based on a successful working model on Oahu.
”The good thing is that it gets the foods into the kids’ hands,” he said. “Most of the pantry programs take place when the kids are in school, and despite many pieces leaving, who knows what happens next. Sometimes, the kids never see the food. This way, the food is in the kids’ hands.”
The Hawaii Foodbank Kauai Branch has been receiving inquiries from schools around the island.
“This is a hot item for now,” Perreira said. “It would be nice to see a program like this in all of the schools.”
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
