KAPAHI — Schools are physically closed, but that isn’t stopping young entrepreneur and fire dancer Emilia Knudsen, 11, from Kanuikapono Public Charter School, on her mission to create a 24/7 free food pantry on Wana‘ao Road for those in need.
Knudsen started the food pantry earlier this month after being inspired by receiving a bag of food at her school.
“We have enough food and should share with those in need,” said Knudsen.
Knudsen emptied out her little free library house on Wana‘ao Road in Kapa‘a, where she used to host book exchanges, cleaned it well, and filled it with food from the school and what she could find in her parents’ cupboard. She also included some toilet paper. Anyone who wants can stop by the little house on Wana‘ao Road and take what they need at no charge. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
So, she opened up the project to both food and monetary donations, and in four days received $3,000 in donations from people from all over the world, including Denmark.
Last week Knudsen saw a lot of houseless people on the street, and she said she wanted to make them warm food, so she coordinated with Malama Meals, which donated 120 hot meals from Saturday to Tuesday for Knudsen to distribute personally to the houseless community.
This week, she spent over $500 on food items to stock up the free pantry, which is filled several times a day with whatever Knudsen can buy, or what gets donated.
“No one on Kaua‘i should go hungry to bed,” Knudsen said. “It’s not all about money.”
The free food pantry isn’t the only entrepreneurial idea Knudsen has up her sleeve. She already owns Kaua‘i Keiki Dough, a company that sells non-toxic play dough for kids and one that Knudsen put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic appeared.
Seeing the results of the stay-at-home and work-from-home orders on Kaua‘i and a growing number of people who need access to enough food to feed their families, Knudsen switched her focus from play dough to the free pantry.
The pantry is stocked with things like rice, Spam, sausage, black beans, green split peas, cup noodles, ramen, noodles, macaroni, pasta, coffee, cereal, crackers, peanut butter, jam, cookies, toilet paper, toiletries, female hygiene care products, and canned food like chickpeas and tuna.
There are also diapers, baby food, dairy, meat and eggs provided on special request only and when financially possible. Priorities are given to single moms and dads. Interested people can email Knudsen at keikidough@gmail.com.
Knudsen is the daughter of Dan Knudsen and Kamala Knudsen of Kapa‘a.
Knudsen said she is inspired by watching her parents, teachers and other adults in her life do selfless acts of service for the community.
If she is not creating dough or performing her fire dance at the Anahola night market, she can be found managing the free food pantry at The Kaua‘i Store in Kapa‘a Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. She also enjoys making beach glass art and seed and shell jewelry, which she sells online.
Her hope is to continue to raise enough money and food donations to refill the free food pantry for as long as needed.
“Let us help each other and we will all be OK,” said Knudsen. “Thank you for supporting me (in) helping those in need.”
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Stephanie Shinno, features and community reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
What a great story and even better job for an entrepreneur in training. I’m sure her parents are proud as is Kaua’i. With this free publicity she may have to hire an employee!
Practical activism at it’a best. She should be a role model for most of us.
This girl has a business mind set. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. Great job!