The Kauai County Council and Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami both agreed through proclamations and certificates that the future well-being of Kauai is directly tied to the health of its people, and creating a stronger tomorrow starts by ensuring access to safe, nutritious food for all, feeding our ohana today while striving to end hunger for future generations.
On Saturday, a steady stream of people stopped at multiple locations from Hanalei to Waimea to contribute to the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai Food Drive Day. That was the day after a food distribution event at the Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo where the recently arrived J1 Hires teachers from the Philippines volunteered following their school day.
The Mayor’s Office said nearly one in four households on Kauai continues to face food insecurity on a daily basis while shifting economic conditions and widespread funding cuts have put additional strain on food banks and essential safety net programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Additionally, food prices in Hawaii have risen by an average of 25 percent in recent years, and Hawaii Foodbank Kauai is now serving more than twice the number of individuals it supported before the COVID-19 pandemic.
One source for contributions came from people who experienced the tsunami threat earlier in the week. A family from Utah rolled up a shopping cart of assorted food they picked up after being told to evacuate.
The County Council, in its certificate announcing Food Drive Day, said fresh produce is one of the first items to drop off families’ grocery lists in the struggle with hunger.
Hawaii Foodbank Kauai continues to serve an average of more than 170,000 people each month.
Source: The Garden Island