Layton Construction food drive helps

PUHI — The company and clients responded when Layton Construction Co. announced its food drive to benefit the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i Branch.

“It’s been a tough year for so many,” said Mia Checkley, project assistant for Layton Construction.

“We are just trying to spread the word in hopes of increasing donations for the food banks. We at Layton have been so blessed to work straight through this pandemic. It’s only natural for us to want to lend a small hand to those less fortunate.”

Layton Construction rolled into the foodbank’s Puhi facility Friday with cash and food donations amounting to more than $4,500. This included funds originally set aside for client gift baskets.

“We were so humbled and inspired by your generosity that we are adding $500 in canned goods to the donation,” Layton Construction wrote to its employees at different jobsites, including the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, the Pua Loke Affordable Housing, the Wilcox Medical Center generator replacement and the main office.

“Additionally, our friends at East West Partners/Starwood have contributed $500 cash and $500 in food. Great things are accomplished by a series of small things gathered together,” the letter said.

The collection gathered from the jobsites and the main office included some of the top-five, most-needed and requested items, including rice, canned meats, canned meals, canned vegetables and canned fruits.

“Thank the Lord,” said Michelle Panoke of the foodbank. “This comes when we need food to meet the increased demand for food during this holiday season and the impact of the ongoing pandemic that saw unprecedented numbers of people become economically insecure.”