PUHI — The collection of 489 pounds pushed the total beyond the 8,000-pound mark, said Kelvin Moniz, operations manager of the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, Monday. Moniz met student representatives of Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School who coordinated a school-wide food
PUHI — The collection of 489 pounds pushed the total beyond the 8,000-pound mark, said Kelvin Moniz, operations manager of the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, Monday.
Moniz met student representatives of Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School who coordinated a school-wide food drive to help the food bank.
“This is definitely going to push our collection to beyond the 8,000-pound mark,” Moniz said.
The goal for the KIFB Holiday Food and Fund Drive is $40,000 and 40,000 pounds of food to help feed Kaua‘i’s hungry people.
That goal was set in mid-October when KIFB launched its holiday drive, and the big Food Collection Day event held at locations throughout the island netted more than $11,165 and 2,853 pounds of food.
With the contribution of the CKMS students, the KIFB reached 20 percent of its 40,000-pound goal.
Robin Herbig, the teacher in charge of the student effort, said the students arranged the food drive, turning it into a contest, and in addition to collecting and keeping track of the food, also tracked the student donations so the appropriate prizes could be distributed.
“They did everything,” Herbig said. “We stored everything in one classroom with Monday being the deadline for students to drop off contributions.”
Judy Lenthall, KIFB executive director, said with the tight economy demand for emergency food has increased and, similarly, contributions have dropped from previous drives.
The expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, that took effect on Oct. 1, has helped somewhat, and adding to that expansion of eligibility, the U.S. Department of Agriculture on June 26 released the “SNAP at Farmers Markets: A How-To-Handbook” that provides the managers of farmers’ markets with a step-by-step guide to installing Electronic Benefits Transfer machines and accepting SNAP benefits.
“It is important for people throughout the country to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and by promoting SNAP EBT’s at farmers’ markets we are accomplishing that goal while providing more economic opportunity for America’s farmers and ranchers,” said Edward Avalos, USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, in the national press release issued earlier.
The number of SNAP recipients is at a historic high, the USDA release states.
“By welcoming SNAP benefits, farmers’ markets provide access to fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods which may not otherwise be easily available,” said Kevin Concannon, USDA under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services.
Lenthall said last month KIFB can work toward getting EBT’s into the island’s farmers’ markets within the year.
“We still have a ways to go for the 40/40 goal,” Lenthall said. “But we’re getting there.”
People can still contribute to the KIFB Holiday Food and Fund Drive by dropping off contributions at any of the county fire stations around the island, or at the Nawiliwili KIFB facility.
Visit www.kauaifoodbank.org for more information.
