Chip Bahouth, general manager of the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort in Po‘ipu, and his hotel leadership team made a special stop at the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank on Wednesday during the group’s outing to celebrate the Po‘ipu resort’s achievements of 2022.
The Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank was one of those stops, the group presenting the food bank’s staff and board of directors with a check for $5,607.34, representing proceeds from Table 53 that is located in the RumFire restaurant on the Sheraton Kaua‘i property.
The donation is in addition to the big load of food generated by the resort during the recent holidays.
Bahouth said the goal of Table 53 is to reach $500,000 for various nonprofits by June.
“We’re still shy about $40,000,” Bahouth said. “But we should be able to make it. This is all money that stays here on the island to help our people, just like our friends at the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank.”
Under terms of Table 53, one of the premier spots in the RumFire restaurant, proceeds from the table are set aside to benefit a local nonprofit organization.
Donna King, president of the KIFB board, said there is always a need for food.
The need is not discriminatory, meaning someone who works for the Sheraton Kaua‘i could be in need of food help.
“Our mission is to feed people, and keep the people fed,” King said, encouraging people to refer people to the food bank that is open five days a week.
She said despite the pandemic being relaxed and more people back at work, the effects of inflation and streamlining workforces continue to impact people.
“But there’s no more relief funds,” she said. “More and more people are depending on the food banks to make ends meet.”
Bahouth said he remembers how the Sheraton Kaua‘i had to close during the pandemic, and only through the help of community partners like the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank and the help of his management team volunteers were they able to help feed the hundreds of people the shutdown affected.
“We’re still friends, moving forward,” Bahouth said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
