LIHU‘E — Hunger in communities is at its highest level in nearly a century following a year like no other, states the Hawai‘i Foodbank.
Hawai‘i’s unemployment rates remain the highest in the country, and Kaua‘i’s unemployment rate is near the top of the state. Close to a quarter of a million residents continue to struggle with hunger, including a growing number of kupuna and currently, nearly one out of every three keiki.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how fragile food security can be,” the Hawai‘i Foodbank states. “But it has also shown us just how resilient the people of Hawai‘i are.”
Because of the community’s help, the Hawai‘i Foodbank will be there to make sure those in need will have meals on the table as families continue to get back on their feet in the wake of COVID-19.
The Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i Branch will celebrate its 32nd annual Food Drive Day this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various donation sites across the island.
Contributions are welcomed and appreciated at any of the drop-off sites, including the Waimea Big Save store, the ‘Ele‘ele Big Save store, the Koloa Big Save store, Kukui Grove Center, the Safeway store in Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center in Waipouli, and Ching Young Village in Hanalei.
“Our resilient community of Kaua‘i have always taken care of each other,” said Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i Director Wes Perreira. “Whether it is through a destructive hurricane, flood or even a global pandemic, our ‘ohana has always risen to the occasion to help our neighbors. Contributing to this food drive is a great way to help provide nourishment to those still reeling from the economic disaster in 2020, and we are very excited about seeing our Kaua‘i ‘ohana on Food Drive Day.”
The most-asked-for items include canned proteins, including tuna and chicken, canned meals like stews, spaghetti and chili, canned vegetables, canned fruits, and rice in 2-to-5-pound bags.
For those unable to do in-person visits to the drop-off sites, donations can be made online at hawaiifoodbank.org/kauai-food-drive-day/.
Hawai‘i Foodbank, in partnership with the food industry and community, serves as a link between charities and those in need of food assistance, including the elderly, families, children and those facing financial crises each week.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
