LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i’s two food banks — Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank (KIFB) — are hosting two separate food collections on Saturday that will benefit their respective organizations and victims of recent wildfires, primarily Maui residents.
Tisha Remigio, of the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i, announced its Kaua‘i Food Drive Day will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at its Puhi warehouse.
Kalaheo resident Mike Vallee announced on Wednesday the Kaua‘i Food Drive and Benefit Concert to help the KIFB and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund. The benefit concert, the fourth organized by Vallee, will take place on Saturday at Anahola Marketplace from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in cooperation with Security National Mortgage Company.
“Everyone is welcome, residents and visitors alike,” he said in an announcement. “Live music and dancing will be courtesy of the funky sounds of Kaua‘i’s Da Funk. Vallee is one of the group’s lead musicians. Other island favorite musicians include Vic and the Victimz as well as Tropical Groove, a duet featuring Haunani Kaui and Linda Tani, who played at the recent county’s Maui concert.”
Other sponsors of the free event include Tahiti Nui, Anahola Marketplace, Ebert Surfboards, Stoney Jo’s Surf Supply, Tamba Surf Company, Pancho’s Pizza and Big Wave Dave’s. Attendees are asked to donate a nonperishable food item.
During the last benefit concert held in January, Vallee said more than 600 pounds of food and more than $4,000 were donated.
“Anahola Marketplace is an indoor/outdoor covered venue that recently expanded the size of their covered entertainment area,” Vallee said. “While some tables and chairs are available. Attendees are advised to bring their own beach chairs or blankets for outdoor seating. Folks are welcome to BYOB and their dancing shoes. Food and drink are available at The Cafe on-site, and all ages are welcome to the family-friendly event.”
Wes Perreira, the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i manager, said people are welcome to visit the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i warehouse facility in the Puhi Industrial Park to drop off their donations from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Additionally, donations are being accepted online at the website www.hawaiifoodbank.org/kauai-food-drive-day-donate/ now.
“With the recent wildfires on Maui, there is an urgent, growing need for food assistance in that community,” Remigio said. “What has happened to our Maui community is unthinkable, and we are grateful that we’re able to support our Maui Food Bank ‘ohana. Being one of the most trusted disaster-relief organizations in our community allows us to support our ‘ohana where it is needed.”
This invitation to donate is one of the rare times people are invited to drop in at the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i, where Perreira, Remigio and the staff will be joined by Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i board members to collect food and money. People who drop by will also be offered warehouse tours, as well as a meet and greet with the staff and board members in order to learn more about what Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i does in the community.
Additionally, there will be a keiki corner featuring games like cone toss, coloring stations, and a book reading on each hour from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring “Saturday At The Food Pantry,” written by Diane O’Neill.
