‘Feed-A-Thon’ raises 38,000 pounds of food

The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s food bank, received more than 38,000 pounds of food during its 15th annual “Feed-A-Thon” that took place at five KTA Super Stores locations islandwide during a 10-day span.

Tommy “Kahikina” Ching, longtime ambassador of the Food Basket, collected nonperishable food and monetary donations from Aug. 24-Sept. 2 at KTA stores in Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa, Waimea, Hilo (Puainako) and Keauhou.

In addition to in-person donations, community members provided monetary donations online and participated in a silent auction with items including rounds of golf at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and Waikoloa Kings’ Course, and adventure items from Flumin’ Kohala, Paradise Helicopters, Body Glove Hawaii and Hawaii Forest and Trail.

“It is always great when we can take a serious and pervasive issue like hunger and attack it with a positive attitude and positive methods,” said En Young, executive director of the Food Basket. “Being with Kahikina for the 10-day stretch reaffirms that we are one community and that the solution for hunger is aloha.”

The annual fundraising event ended on a high note in a celebration of Ching’s birthday Sept. 2 at KTA Keauhou. Cakes, balloons and birthday surprises provided a festive atmosphere while fundraising activities continued.

“No hurricane, storm or lava flow could stop people on Hawaii Island from making sure there is food when and where it is needed most,” Ching said.

One in 5 Hawaii Island residents are served by the Food Basket through a network of nearly 100 partnering agencies islandwide. With 1 in 3 children in Hawaii County eligible for free or reduced school meals, and many families and kupuna facing high levels of food insecurity, the Food Basket depends on community support.

For more information about ways to help feed the hungry on Hawaii Island, contact the Food Basket at 933-6030 or visit www.hawaiifoodbasket.org.