NAWILIWILI — When Valerie Cooper and Angie Molina and her American Sign Language interpreter showed up for the presentation of a Kaua‘i Coffee Fair Trade Committee award to the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank at the food bank warehouse, they were greeted by a pallet of Kaua‘i Coffee.
The pallet of Kaua‘i Coffee packages, which have the Fair Trade logo, was just one of two the KIFB had picked up from Kaua‘i Coffee for the food bank’s use, said KIFB Executive Director Kelvin Moniz, who accepted the $17,205 award which represents two years of salesfrom Kaua‘i Coffee Fair Trade products.
“It’s good to have the logo on the bag,” said Kawai Gampon, KIFB programs manager. “That way, people can see which products support the Fair Trade Committee grants.”
The KIFB allocation is just one of six awards being made of the $120,000 that was set aside for distribution representing Fair Trade funds received in 2021 and 2022.
Each of the six recipient nonprofits received $17,205. Allocations were set aside for Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity, the food bank, Boys &Girls Club of Hawai‘i on Kaua‘i, The Salvation Army, Kaua‘i United Way and Catholic Charities.
Moniz said the timing of the award could not have come at a better time because the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank is currently involved with the County of Kaua‘i in providing healthy snacks to 300 keiki in the county’s Summer Fun program.
“This is 300 snacks a day, or 1,500 snacks a week,” said Gampon. “We’re also working with the Boys &Girls Club to develop a similar program for their members.”
Cooper said one of the keys to the awards is accessibility and how available it is to Kaua‘i Coffee employees.
Molina didn’t need the services of her American Sign Language interpreter when she told Moniz, “I hope you folks can take care of a lot of local residents. And children.”
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
