NAWILIWILI — Kelvin Moniz, executive director of the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, said any contribution makes a big impact on their efforts at food relief.
NAWILIWILI — Kelvin Moniz, executive director of the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, said any contribution makes a big impact on their efforts at food relief.
He accepted a $2,000 contribution from representatives of Kaua‘i’s credit unions, including Gather Federal Credit Union, Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union, Kaua‘i Teachers Federal Credit Union, Garden Island Federal Credit Union and McBryde Federal Credit Union, Tuesday morning at the onset of work that included processing incoming freight and inventorying the leftovers from weekend food distributions.
“This is just a small contribution,” said Terri Kaniho of Gather FCU. “Normally, we do a series of fundraising events and personal contributions from members. But this is a hard time to ask people to contribute — people just gave what they could.”
Moniz said the amount does not matter because all contributions are used for the greater good of distributing food to people who need help, including those who are still unemployed.
Chantal Zarbaugh of Kaua‘i Government Employees FCU said her credit union is working on distributing food to people who still haven’t received any unemployment benefits, perhaps getting help from KIFB in that effort.
“Every little thing has a big impact,” Moniz said, pointing out the box conveyor system they received as a contribution when Pier 1 closed. “This makes a big difference in moving boxes out of the vans and into the warehouse.”
Every representative present did not refuse Moniz’s offer to volunteer during a food distribution to see and experience first-hand the impact food distribution has on people who need the help.
Food relief for everyone is a departure from the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank’s focus on keiki and kupuna programs.
