Local agencies get, help distribute needed food, goods

LIHU‘E — Punana Leo schools is the latest addition to the distribution of U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers to Families food boxes Tuesday.

“They’re coming over to pick up 21 boxes,” said Shereen Ho‘opi“i of the Lili‘uokalani Trust, which coordinated the delivery of 400 boxes. “We didn’t get an extra increase to accommodate them. We re-adjusted how we distribute to the Lili‘uokalani families.”

The food boxes packed by Ham Produce and Seafood included assorted fresh produce, including Napa cabbage, pineapple, sour cream, butter and other groceries. A gallon of milk accompanied the package that included a protein box containing salmon burgers and chicken.

Distribution was broken down to various community organizations that handled different communities, including the Boys &Girls Club of Hawai‘i with its sites on the Westside, Eastside in Kapa‘a and the Lihu‘e Clubhouse; the county’s Agency on Elderly Affairs; Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League; and Lili‘uokalani Trust staff, who delivered boxes to their clients.

“This is the seventh distribution of 400 boxes we’re doing,” Ho‘opi‘i said. “It’s also the last delivery for this quarter. We don’t know the result of the grant request we have pending that covers the next quarter, or three months.”

Clients receiving the food boxes were treated to a light-emitting diode light bulb, courtesy of Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, said Teddy Arroyo of the KPWFL.

“This is what we’ve been doing since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the island,” Arroyo said. “We’ve been out helping the community, and not just talking. This is what we teach the kids. We’ve been blessed to have all these good people who help us.”

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.