NAWILIWILI — Kelvin Moniz of the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank was excited about the free work being done by Teddy Arroyo and the Arroyo Plumbing crew, Monday.
“This is pro bono work,” Teddy said. “Kelvin had a new ice maker so we offered to have it installed for him. He should have ice in about 20 minutes.”
Moniz’s excitement was overshadowed by concerns of social distancing rules in place because of the COVID-19 crisis.
“No come so close,” Moniz said. “I already got scolded by the mayor because the mayor said we weren’t observing the social distancing. Teddy and his boys are not just installing the ice maker, he is also making a personal contribution to help with the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank food distributions during this pandemic.”
Teddy, whose installation crew included Keanu Hanohano, Keenan Arroyo, and Leonard Vegas, said they got help from Sean Andrade of Ferguson, a plumbing supply center, who provided the necessary materials for the installation at no charge.
“We gotta take care of each other,” Teddy said. “We’re all in this, together.”
Moniz was reviewing the previous week’s performance and preparing to look ahead at what is coming up this week, getting help from the KIFB newest employee, a worker from the staff of Rep. Nadine Nakamura.
The week included the daily emergency food distribution that takes place at the KIFB warehouse daily from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the KIFB staff being interrupted from their chores and tasks by the appearance of several people needing to supplement their pantries.
“Our big one comes, Friday when we partner with the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort, Table 53 (You Dine, We Donate), and Island Activities to distribute hot meals at the Sheraton Kaua‘i drive-through,” Moniz said. “That’s going to be a big one with about 2,000 meals planned on being distributed.”
