Kauai Independent Food Bank Gets Fall Meals Help
LIHUE — The Kauai Independent Food Bank (KIFB) recently received a $1,000 award from HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union, an amount that Executive Director Kelvin Moniz described as very appropriate, timely, and essential for their operations.
This donation, presented at the credit union’s branch located in the Kukui Grove Center, is aimed at supporting the KIFB’s Expansive Summer Backpack Program. This program is critical as it addresses the ongoing issue of food insecurity, especially during school breaks.
“Food insecurity is still a problem,” Moniz emphasized. “With schools closed until next Monday for fall break, many children continue to need food. A significant number of these children rely on reduced-price meal programs provided by the schools.”
The backpack program has been designed specifically to assist students during weekends when school is not in session, thus ensuring they have access to nutritious meals. This initiative has a wide reach across the island, with partnerships that include the Boys & Girls Club, which has facilities in Waimea, Lihue, and Kapaa, among the program’s clients.
“We are accommodating when it comes to the food recipients,” Moniz explained. “Often, it’s not just the student who needs food; their entire family is in need. Therefore, we create family-style packages to ensure that everyone has something to eat.”
One of the ongoing challenges for the backpack program is maintaining uniformity and equality in the distribution of food, so all recipients receive similar support.
The Kauai Independent Food Bank is a dedicated organization with a team of seven full-time staff members and the invaluable assistance of volunteers contributing over 2,000 hours each year. Together, they manage to distribute more than 220,000 pounds of food annually, which equates to approximately 100,000 meals and snacks provided to those in need throughout the community.
