KEKAHA — Ursuline Munar of the Kekaha Credit Union said there are credit-union members who need for themselves, but came in with a can or two of nonperishable food to share with others who need it more.
Tuesday, Kekaha Credit Union presented the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i Branch with 276 pounds of food contributed by the credit union’s members. This was in addition to the 31st Annual Credit Union Coalition’s Food Drive Campaign that started Oct. 1 and ended Nov. 30.
“We support both food banks,” said Munar. “Earlier, we had a contribution to the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, and the Hawai‘i Foodbank, Kaua‘i Branch is special because the Westside Christian is one of the agencies where many of our members are being helped.”
The Credit Union Coalition Food Drive raised a total of $102,074.26 spread out over 306 donors and eight fundraising events, according to the Hawai‘i Foodbank website.
The Kekaha Credit Union drive started with one member coming in with a canned good, Munar said.
“Others came and added to the collection,” she said. “There were members who had no access to online services, and there were some who could not get the online process to work. But they wanted to help and brought in food. There is definitely a need for food during this uncertain time.”
The Hawai‘i Foodbank website indicates that one in six people, including 90,000 keiki, need food assistance.
Contributions ensure that keiki receive the nutrition they need, senior citizens don’t have to choose between nutritious meals and their daily medication needs, and parents don’t have to put off paying bills ahead of feeding their families, the website states.
The Hawai‘i Foodbank, Kaua‘i Branch next joins the St. Raphael Church for a food distribution Thursday at the Koloa house of worship, with a goal of helping 350 families. They will team with the Child &Family Service Saturday for the Festival of Hope for Families at the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Anahola Clubhouse.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
