LIHU‘E — The Spirit of Giving campaign finished on Monday at Pau Hana Market by raising $30,000 for Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i.
“The Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i was approached by Stephanie Iona, representing the Kekaha Agriculture Association, and Laurie Yoshida of Corteva Agriscience,” said Tisha Remigio, the impact manager at the food bank.
“These two ladies don’t like the recognition, but we must honor how much they mean to not only our team, but all of our neighbors who need the help. We appreciate them roping this campaign and leading a further reach with our hunger relief efforts. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from our many integral sponsors to help fill plates this holiday season.”
The campaign involved a series of events throughout November and December that led to the finale celebrated at Pau Hana Market at Kukui Grove Center.
“The Spirit of Giving giveaway for the benefit of the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i was supported by the Pau Hana Market, a collaboration between the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau and the Kukui Grove Center,” said Yoshida said during the breakdown of the many hands involved in the campaign.
“The many sponsors that made this campaign work include the Kekaha Agriculture Association, Hawai‘i Foodservice Alliance, the Hawai‘i Crop Improvement Association, Kaua‘i Shrimp, Waimea Historic Theater and Culture Arts Center, Aloun Farms, Meridian Pacific, the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation Kaua‘i Region, Somers West, Grove Farm, Global Ag, the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative and Kerzner-Mauna‘olana Partners.”
Some of the results included $11,000 in cash contributions from Kekaha Agriculture Association, Meridian Pacific, Kerzner Mauna‘olana Partners and Hawai‘i Crop Improvements Association.
The Historic Waimea Theater and Culture Arts Center, representing the annual Waimea lights parade, contributed $500 in cash.
Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau added contributions from the weekly Pau Hana Market, where food contributors received a discount coupon for their donations.
“Collectively, with just the individual donor efforts, the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i raised more than $1,000 that will provide more than 2,100 meals to those who may not have access to nutritious food,” Remigio said.
In-kind donations included 1,000 pounds of Kaua‘i Shrimp valued at $8,000, and $9,578 worth of produce from Aloun Farms, which will be for two food giveaways at Westside Christian Church in Kekaha and St. Raphael Church in Koloa.
Remigio said the holiday food distributions took place on Thursday with Chad Buck and Hawai‘i Foodservice Alliance providing extra food supplies.
Yoshida said part of the funds were used to acquire a piece of machinery needed by the Kaua‘i Community College Culinary Arts Department whose chefs Mark Oyama and Steven Nakata lead a group of students to prepare and ship between 500 to 1,000 pounds of food to Maui to assist victims of the Aug. 8 wildfires.
Senate President Ron Kouchi added a Senate commendation to Hawai‘i Foodservice Alliance, and more specifically, Buck who owns and operates a family of companies in food processing and distribution building.
“HFA and Chad Buck were deeply involved with the thousands of other volunteers bringing food and other essentials to the survivors of the wildfires since the morning of Aug. 9, while Lahaina was still in flames,” the Senate commendation states.
“To date, HFA and Chad Buck has provided the following to those in need across Maui impacted by the wildfires — more than 1,300 transportation moves via ocean, air, and land from West Coast to Hawai‘i, and inter-island; hundreds of thousands dollars of food, water, and ice purchased by HFA delivered and donated to food hubs; (tens) of millions of pounds of food, water and aid secured and transported from donors across all islands, the continental United States, and international groups; thousands of hours of warehouse, distributions, procurement, engineering, sanitation, and administrative work; all hotels, airfare, and transportation for Neighbor Island crews working on Maui; forklifts, material handling, equipment, propane, fuel, boxes, pallets, shrink-wrap, building materials, and other supplies for the Lowe’s and former Safeway repairs and renovations.”
The commendation outlined the 10-year history of HFA and Buck on Kaua‘i, working alongside the Harvest Festival celebrations from Kekaha to Anahola; assisting Waimea families who were unable to get food and supplies when a landslide in Waimea left families stranded and without access to supplies and food following the damage to the Waimea Swinging Bridge.
During COVID, they helped feed families in the visitor industry and communities with food distributions that agriculture partners organized at Waimea Canyon Middle School, Kekaha Community Park and schools in Koloa and Lihu‘e, and Anahola families in need.
Wes Perreira, the branch manager for Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i, thanked everyone for their respective efforts at helping feed the 1 in 7 people facing hunger on Kaua‘i.
“As you can see, it takes many hands to operate in the Spirit of Giving,” Remigio said. “With a $10 donation, you provide more than 20 meals. Help ensure every member of our ‘ohana can put nourishing food on the table during the holidays and beyond.”
