NAWILIWILI — Despite the efforts of several hundred volunteers Saturday, the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank’s one-day summer food drive fell short of its goal. Kelvin Moniz, the food resources director for KIFB, released the results of Saturday’s one-day effort from
NAWILIWILI — Despite the efforts of several hundred volunteers Saturday, the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank’s one-day summer food drive fell short of its goal.
Kelvin Moniz, the food resources director for KIFB, released the results of Saturday’s one-day effort from the six sites participating in the drive Monday.
Overall, the volunteers were able to collect more than $5,000 in cash and 735 pounds of food toward the goal of $10,000 in cash and 4,000 pounds of food.
“Normally, the summer drive doesn’t generate much,” Moniz said. “But with our stock being low, every bit helps and Saturday’s effort by everyone is really appreciated.”
Volunteers included people from the Kalaheo Missionary Church, First Hawaiian Bank, the Church of the Pacific, the Rotary Club of Kaua‘i, the East Kaua‘i Lions Club, Kapa‘a Missionary Church, the Boys & Girls Club, the Kaua‘i High School Leo Club and the Kaua‘i High School Key Club.
“Sueoka’s in Koloa was participating in the KIFB food drive for the first time and did really well,” Moniz said.
Rowena Cobb, president of the KIFB Board who dropped in Monday, said the priority on getting food out is to the community’s keiki and kupuna.
These include the Keiki Cafe program at the Boys and Girls Club, Waimea Clubhouse, the backpack program and the current summer program for the Lihu‘e Boys & Girls Club.
The mission of KIFB is to prevent hunger, provide nutritious food for the hungry and respond to emergencies, states its website.
Food security for all the people of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau is the ultimate goal of KIFB, and is demonstrated through its emergency food distribution, vocational rehabilitation, Keiki Cafe, backpack program, disaster preparedness and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program outreach programs.
Moniz said the next opportunity for people to help will be during the annual Dine Out for Hunger program on Aug. 9. More details will be released later.
Visit www.kauaifoodbank.org or call 246-3809 for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
