Annual drive helps food bank replenish its dwindling stock

Horace Chee-Manuia cruises aisle upon aisle of canned and dry food, loading up his cart with between 200 and 300 pounds of it.

The pastor’s assistant at First Assembly of God Leeward said the groceries gathered weekly at Hawaii Foodbank’s warehouse will go to at least 50 financially pinched families in Leeward Oahu. "The families really appreciate the gesture," Chee-Manuia said.

The First Assembly is one of 250 member agencies that regularly rely on the food bank to assist the needy.

While the nonprofit tries to maintain an inventory that would take roughly 12 to 15 days to deplete, Lori Kaya, the food bank’s grants and communications manager, said the warehouse currently contains only a week’s worth of food.

On Saturday the 25th annual Hawaii Food Drive aims to replenish the warehouse’s shelves with at least 1 million pounds of food. Donations may be dropped off at various collection sites around the island. Last year 12 million pounds of food were distributed.

Terry Heaton, a former news director at KGMB, helped organize the first food drive in 1989. Heaton, who is in Hono­lulu to serve as a volunteer, recalled that the debut drive was a success.

"We had a great first drive," Heaton said. "We collected over 100,000 pounds of food. It’s just evidence of Hawaii’s kind and caring attitudes. Hunger was the top priority then, and I can imagine it’s still a priority now."

According to the Hawaii Foodbank, it provides emergency food assistance to 14 percent of the state’s population. The nonprofit serves more than 150,000 individuals every year, including about 11,000 who are 65 and older and 55,000 children.

Kaya said, "Families often have to make a decision. Which bill goes unpaid? Something always has to be sacrificed, and it is usually food."

According to Feeding America, a nationwide hunger-relief charity, nearly half of the 50 million Americans that need food assistance are from working families.

Addressing a common misconception that only the homeless and unemployed are in need of assistance, Kaya said, "Throughout the country there are so many adults working, and they still can’t make ends meet."

Roxanne Stark, Hawaii Foodbank director of agency affiliations, said the food bank receives the most donations through the food drive and the National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive, which is scheduled to take place May 10. Items in highest demand at the Hawaii Foodbank are canned meat, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned meals and rice.

"We see the true spirit of aloha during these times," Stark said. "It tugs at my heart at times, so we really appreciate everyone’s help."

Chee-Manuia said his church collects food from its congregation every six months to give to the Hawaii Foodbank.

"It’s important we give to the community, so we ask from the congregation," he said.