NAWILIWILI — Kerri-Anne Kanahele wanted to know if she could have the empty Vienna sausage cartons Wednesday during the presentation of 1,151 pounds of food and $1,000 cash by Matson Nawiliwili to Child &Family Service.
“She has a first birthday (luau) coming up,” said Reny Domingo, Matson Neighbor Island sales support specialist. “She’ll be using the cartons for a project for baby’s first birthday.”
The answer was an enthusiastic “yes” from Stephanie Funtanilla, assistant program manager at Child &Family Service’s Nana’s House Family Center, and Julie Kauakahi of CFS, who works with clients on emergency food distribution at both Nana’s House and CFS’ Hale Ho‘omalu Family Center.
“We are so incredibly thankful to Matson and its employees who truly understand the spirit of helping our community,” said Novelyn Hinazumi, CFS director of Kauai programs, including Nana’s House and Hale Ho‘omalu.
“Over the past years, Matson’s volunteer efforts have help us stock our food pantries at Nana’s House that serves local Kauai families in need of food three times a week, and Hale Ho‘omalu that opens up twice a week to those in need of additional food. Matson and its employees are truly making a difference to the people of Kauai, and we are so grateful for their kokua,” said Hinazumi.
Nana’s House distributes an average of about 3,000 pounds of food a month to Westside families, averaging about 140 families a month.
Hale Ho‘omalu takes care of the Eastside with about 4,800 pounds each month, averaging about 285 families served.
Matson Nawiliwili is no stranger to giving to the CFS family centers, starting in 2003 when Matson employees raised 620 pounds of food. Since then, and including the Wednesday contribution, Matson Nawiliwili has contributed 6,774 pounds of food and $4,500 to CFS programs.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
