Demand still greater than food bank’s supply
More than a month ago, Kaua’i Food Bank put out a call for donated food to shore up badly-needed food supplies to feed thousands of needy residents.
Since then, the organization has collected 10,471 pounds of goods from its annual food drive, which started Nov. 7 and ends Dec. 15, and is appreciative.
But it isn’t enough. The collected food falls far short of the 52,000 pounds of food the organization distributes islandwide on a monthly average.
The shortage of food means smaller portions to residents, some at the poverty level and those who have lost their jobs or had work hours cut due to the Sept. 11 terrorists’ attacks.
The situation raises the risk for more crime and social problems on Kaua’i.
“Of course we appreciate what people gave, but it is never enough,” said Judy Lenthall, executive director of the food bank. “But like families who have been hit hard economically and cut back, we are doing the same, making due. We are fighting on.”
She said her organization is committed to providing food for the needy.
“We are possibly more efficient than others in the business sector, because we are mission-driven,” Lenthall said.
Over the past two months, the food bank has seen a 20 percent increase in food demand, she said.
More than a month ago, supplies dropped to disturbingly low levels because surplus from supermarkets was down, shipments from the O’ahu-based Hawai’i Food Bank dropped, and U.S. Department of Agriculture disbursements to Hawai’i became low.
The only change is that Kaua’i Food Bank has begun receiving food from the Oahu food bank because that organization’s food drive has been successful due to energetic public response, Lenthall said.
Much of the food that is collected on Kaua’i is likely to go to the 1,793 residents who have lost either their jobs or lost 25 work hours or more as a result of Sept. 11, Lenthal said.
The number of people in this category has jumped from about 500 people about three weeks ago, Lenthall reported.
That number of residents who have filed state unemployment claims doesn’t include those who work 20 hours and might have lost hours. People in this category are not eligible to file unemployment claims.
Lenthal also reported that the food bank:
– Anticipates receiving $90,000 from the Legislature to buy food. The money is part of $1 million the Legislature has set aside for food purchases by food banks statewide and $1 million for shelters.
– Received a $41,000 grant from the Kraft Foundation, some of which were used to buy 13 refrigerators and a refrigerator truck and to hire a new truck driver.
– Has gotten approval from the Kaua’i County Council to use parts of a county building in Lihu’e to store food.
Councilmen Ron Kouchi and Gary Hooser supported the food bank proposal to use parts of the one-time retail store, Lenthall said, adding the food bank doesn’t have sufficient storage space in its warehouse nar Nawiliwili Harbor.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
