Safeway donates over 22,000 meals

PUHI — Malia Banquel, the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i operations supervisor, said 14 pallets of food is a lot, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, as she was joined by driver Garren Leanio-Balagat and Receiving/Inventory Specialist Justin Bulosan, who kept the pallets flowing from an extended shipping container parked outside the nonprofit’s offices and warehouse.

“This is just one of two loads for this Safeway Nourishing Neighbors Fall Campaign,” said Tisha Remigio of the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i. “Both the Lihu‘e and Kapa‘a Safeway stores support hunger relief efforts through a variety of efforts, including product donations, in-store food drives, and other fundraising events that included the recent dunk-a-lifeguard event at the Hokulei Village Shopping Center Safeway store.”

Remigio said that during the fall campaign, the Hokulei Village Safeway store was able to contribute 27,590 pounds of food to the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i.

“The different variety of food helps families get the nutrients they need, such as whole kernel corn, green beans, black beans, pinto beans, sliced pears, canned chicken breast and chicken noodle soup,” Remigio said.

“Providing more than 22,000 meals comes through the support of the store manager, Lesah Merritt, her wonderful and mission-driven staff, as well as the community that includes residents and visitors alike. We are fortunate for the support from Safeway, endlessly supporting Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i by raising funds in stores to help nourish our neighbors in need.”

The Nourishing Neighbors campaign is an Albertsons Companies Foundation charitable program that raises awareness and funds to end hunger in communities across its reach. During the campaign each year, stores donate millions of pounds of food to their local food banks, food pantries and other agencies that are on the frontlines in the battle against hunger in America.

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.