PUHI — The group from the Lihu‘e Hongwanji Mission brought the sunshine to the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i on Thursday when they turned over a financial contribution of $625 and a pickup load of food.
“When you have a name like ‘Valentine,’ you can’t really do a food drive during the holidays,” said Carol Valentine of the Lihu‘e Hongwanji Mission. “We thought we would wait until after the holidays, like maybe in February, to do a food drive. Of the total amount we received from the church members, $90 is from the Lihu‘e Hongwanji Preschool.”
This is in addition to the pickup full of miscellaneous food items contributed by the preschool’s students, their parents, and staff.
“This was so cute, watching the young children bringing food to help others,” said Wayne Fujioka of the Lihu‘e Hongwanji Mission. “They brought a lot of food. Just make sure you show the box with the Denver Broncos logo.”
Michelle Panoke of the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i was thrilled with the out-of-season contribution.
“If everyone gives like how they do during the holidays, we’d have no problems,” she said. “Every day should be Christmas.”
Tisha Remigio, the Impact Manager of the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i, said the wonderful team effort from both the preschool and the church of collecting food and monetary donations was able to provide 1,525 meals to those impacted by food insecurity.
“Donations are needed now, more than ever. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of community members like the Lihu‘e Hongwanji church, and preschool,” Remigio said.
“We were very excited when we received the phone call from Carol indicating that they have hosted a food drive. I personally love when we get the keiki involved in helping our community. It really touches my heart.”
The Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i is concerned about the significant changes taking place for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients over the next several months, and the impact the changes will have on the food pantry programs.
“All households currently receiving SNAP benefits will receive less SNAP benefits starting in April 2023. They will have less dollars to purchase food for their household each month,” the Hawai‘i Foodbank said.
”If they are unable to meet their household’s food needs, we may see more folks showing up at food distributions and pantries across the community on a more frequent basis.”
The Hawai‘i Foodbank estimates about 90,522 households in Hawai‘i will be impacted by this change that includes the final SNAP Supplemental Emergency Allotment being distributed to Hawai‘i SNAP recipients on March 14.
Additionally, Hawai‘i SNAP households that also receive Social Security benefits may see a decrease in their SNAP benefits because of their higher Social Security benefit that took effect in January.
For those wanting to help the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i nourish our ‘ohana, donations are being accepted Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at its offices and warehouse at 4241 Hanahao Place in Puhi Industrial Park.
For those needing food assistance, visit hawaiifoodbank.org/help to locate a food pantry.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
