PUHI — The pallets of food are starting to arrive at the Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch, and from the initial results, it appears the food drive conducted by the National Association of Letter Carriers will surpass its 10,000-pound goal.
“We’re still collecting from the different areas,” said Wes Perreira, Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch director. “We got a load, Saturday from the Lihue and Kapaa post offices. Today, we’re on the Westside, and Wednesday, we’re doing collections on the Eastside and North Shore.”
Based on the preliminary collections that were being processed by food bank volunteers, Perreira said Saturday’s collection amounted to 7,456 pounds. Of that total, Lihue post office showed an increase of 600 pounds over last year’s drive.
“Kapaa was down about 135 pounds, but more food came in,” Perreira said. “Based on that, Kapaa will also be collecting more food than last year.”
Perreira said the Kauai effort is spearheaded by just one person, Carlynn Ledward, who works out of the Kapaa post office.
“This is an amazing person,” Perreira said. “She does everything from coordinating the bags that get delivered with the mail, making sure all of the post office has their supplies, and more. And she does it by herself.”
Michelle Panoke, Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch office manager, said people can contribute food through the collection bags being sent out with the new Hawaiian Telcom directories that started being delivered last week.
“This Hawaiian Telcom drive always takes place close to the NALC collection,” Panoke said. “People get their new directories, fill the bag with food, and can drop it off at our Puhi warehouse.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
