LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i will host its largest fundraising event of the year, Food Drive Day, on Saturday.
From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, members of the community are encouraged to drop off food and funds at multiple collection sites across the island.
The collection sites include the Big Save stores in ‘Ele‘ele, Waimea and Koloa. Contributors can also drop off donations at Ching Young Village in Hanalei, Island Country Market in Kapa‘a, Walmart in Lihu‘e, and at Safeway stores in the Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center and at Hokulei Shopping Village.
Compared to going to the grocery store to select items, a contribution of $10 to the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i can help to provide food for more than 20 meals.
The Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i says all donations will remain on Kaua‘i to help local families that face food insecurity.
“Access to nutritious food is necessary to ensure a thriving future for the Garden Island. “We are committed to being the healthy option for those facing food insecurity,” said Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i Director Wes Perreira.
“Last year, Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i distributed 1.8 million pounds of food, including 380,000 pounds of fresh produce to residents across Kaua‘i. Your support during Food Drive Day will allow us to continue this work and expand our reach to provide even more healthy foods to those we serve.”
On Kaua‘i, 23 percent of households do not have access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle states information provided by the Hawai‘i Foodbank. Individuals in this situation often experience challenges affording adequate housing, health care, transportation and other basic needs.
Following the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with rising inflation, many people are struggling to make ends meet. For many, fresh produce is the first thing to fall off their grocery lists. This lack of nutritious food can be associated with a variety of adverse health and social outcomes that can affect nearly every aspect of an individual’s life.
On Wednesday, during the Kaua‘i County Council meeting, Hawai‘i Foodbank CEO and President Amy Miller presented “The State of Food Insecurity in Hawai‘i.”
“The State of Food Insecurity in Hawai‘i report confirms many of our concerns, shedding light on issues we anticipated but could not fully understand without this comprehensive study,” Perreira said. “The report also underscores the persistent challenges we face in Hawai‘i and offers a sobering glimpse into the future if current trends continue.”
Additionally, in honor of its longtime support of Food Drive Day, First Hawaiian Bank will match all gifts made through Aug. 24 up to $50,000.
Those who donate toward this match opportunity will automatically be entered to win four general admission tickets to Honolulu Magazine’s Hale ‘Aina Celebration presented by First Hawaiian Bank and Mastercard.
For more information, visit the website www.kauai.hawaiifoodbank.org/food-drive-day/.
