The Hawaii Food Basket is trying to get ahead of the holiday season and stay stocked despite an uptick in people in need and rising food costs.
“We’ve been so thankful to the community for really stepping up with more donations recently,” said Director of Community Engagement and Innovation Leelen Park. “We aren’t giving out as much out as usual, but we are trying to focus on giving nutrient-based food that will last a long time.”
The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s Food Bank, has received an increase in donations recently, and Hawaii County awarded the organization a Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Grant of $600,000.
Much of the food that will be purchased with these funds will help The Food Basket’s partner agencies continue to serve Hawaii Island’s communities, according to Park.
A portion of the county money also will go to buying food for four ‘Ohana Food Drops in December. The food drops are large-scale food distribution events held at specific locations.
“We decided to use some of this funding to bring the Ohana Food Drops back in time for the holidays,” Park said. “A number of organizations across the island are also hosting food drives to help prepare, and we’re so thankful for that.”
While the donations and grant have helped, The Food Basket is continuing to look for funds due to escalating prices of food.
“It’s an uphill battle with the cost of food. It’s a dilemma we are constantly facing,” Park said. “When we do have food on the shelves, it goes quickly and gets more expensive to restock.”
To help raise more funds for the food bank and other food assistance for the community, The Food Basket will be hosting its biggest fundraiser, the fifth annual Turkey Trot, next month.
This will be the first Turkey Trot since 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The walk/run will be at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast. All proceeds will go to The Food Basket and its programs.
“With all the funding we were getting during the pandemic, we were able to survive without these large fundraisers,” Park said. “Now with where we are now, the Turkey Trot will help out tremendously.”
Those interested can register for the Turkey Trot fundraiser on The Food Basket’s website at hawaiifoodbasket.org. The organization also will post the dates, times and locations for the upcoming ‘Ohana Food Drops on its website after scheduling with the county.
Those interested in helping The Food Basket can drop off nonperishable food at the warehouses in Hilo and Kailua-Kona, or donate online.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com