The Hilo Fun Dance Group will sponsor its annual summer evening dance to raise funds for The Food Basket from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at Aunty Sally’s Luau House in Hilo.
The Hilo Fun Dance Group will sponsor its annual summer evening dance to raise funds for The Food Basket from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at Aunty Sally’s Luau House in Hilo.
According to the U.S. Census, the Big Island leads the state in poverty levels. Nonprofit food banks are seeing an increase in need.
Hawaii Island’s food care provider for poverty-stricken people is the Food Basket, a partner agency with the Hawaii Island United Way. Through funded programs such as the nutritionally-targeted KIDS Back Pack and supplementary assistance with Senior Brown Bags, donated food items go directly into hungry hands.
Even with the economy the way it is, people are still giving, still donating, which is important because the agency survives on donations.
Its mission statement is “to feed the hungry in Hawaii County while attending to the root causes of this critical social problem.”
For more information about the Food Basket, call 933-6030 or visit www.hawaiiunitedway.org.
Evening dance tickets are $10, which includes entrance, refreshments and a chance to win prizes donated by various local businesses and individuals. This is an alcohol-free event. Tickets are available from Hilo Fun Dance Group volunteers, or by sending an email to hilofundance@yahoo.com to arrange for tickets to be held at the door. Tickets will be available at the door on the night of the dance based on availability.
Canned food item donations will be accepted at the door. D & J Sound/Dance will provide a variety of music for social dancing throughout the evening.
The purpose of Hilo Fun Dance is to: provide a place where everyone has opportunity to learn to dance in a fun and relaxed setting, and to host dance events and activities to raise funds to help charitable community organizations.
Throughout the past four years, the group’s charity events have benefitted the American Cancer Society, Hawaii Island United Way, Hospice of Hilo, The Emergency Domestic Abuse Shelter for Women and Children, The Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, The American Red Cross-Japan Relief Fund, Hawaii Island Adult Care Inc. and Child and Family Service. The upcoming dance will be its eighth charity event.
“The people of Hilo have always been generous, kind, with giving hearts. The supporters, volunteers, and friends of Hilo Fun Dance are precious people who realize that giving is better than receiving,” said spokeswoman Roberta Shiratori. “With the inspirational spirit of aloha, with the strong hands of many helping, and with unselfish hearts that keep giving, Hilo Fun Dance Group invites the people of Hawaii to join the party on June 23 to fight hunger. For additional information, call her at 966-6247 or email hilofundance@yahoo.com.