Check Presentation. From left: Toby Taniguchi; Kristin Frost-Albrecht, The Food Basket Executive Director; Leelen Park, The Food Basket COVID-19 Response Project Manager; and Ann Ebesuno, The Food Basket President - Image credit: The Food Basket
Check Presentation. From left: Toby Taniguchi; Kristin Frost-Albrecht, The Food Basket Executive Director; Leelen Park, The Food Basket COVID-19 Response Project Manager; and Ann Ebesuno, The Food Basket President - Image credit: The Food Basket
Hilo, Hawaii - The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s food bank, has received a $100,000 donation from the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) to meet the growing demand for food assistance on the island in the wake of COVID-19. The funding will be used to support The Food Basket’s existing programs, including Ohana Drops, the Kupuna Pantry and Da Box Program.
“We're incredibly grateful to TMT for this generous gift that will have a significant and meaningful impact in the community,” said The Food Basket Executive Director Kristin Frost Albrecht. “Calls for food assistance have tripled since the COVID-19 crisis began, and TMT’s $100,000 donation will allow us to help anywhere between 2,000 to 20,000 people in a single month, depending on the program.”
The Food Basket has experienced a greater demand for food assistance than in other disasters, including recent volcanic eruptions and Hurricane Lane, with many first-time recipients looking for help due to being laid off or furloughed. In addition, with Hawaii Island schools closed, many families who relied on free or subsidized school breakfasts and lunches to keep their keiki fed are facing greater need.
Added Albrecht, “We estimate we will serve 25,000 people in need on Hawaii Island in April, compared to 14,000 people in a typical month, and we expect these numbers will continue to increase in the coming weeks. The greatest areas of need include Puna, Kau, Hamakua and greater Hilo.”
From the very beginning more than 10 years ago, TMT approached the community, asking what was most needed, how it could help be part of the community and setting on a path to fulfill those needs. In this same spirit, we are honored we can help during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Sandra Dawson, TMT’s Hawaii community affairs manager. “The work that The Food Basket is doing on Hawaii Island is meaningful and truly inspiring. We are impressed with The Food Basket’s ability to scale up quickly and get food into the rural communities, including Keaau, Hilo, Pahoa, Papaaloa, Honokaa, Pahala, Mt. View, Volcano, Naalehu, Ocean View, Kohala, Kona and Waimea.”
The Food Basket, Hawai'i Islands Food Bank, Ohana Drop at Old Kona Airport Park. Image credit: The Food Basket
The Food Basket provides food assistance to the elderly, families and children through its more than 150 partner agencies. Among its programs are Ohana Drops, which provide 14 days of food per person at 14 active sites across the island; Kupuna Pantry, which works to improve the health of low-income seniors by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods; and Da Box Program, which purchases and distributes produce from Hawaii Island farmers.
In Memory of Barry Taniguchi
TMT’s donation was made in memory of Barry Taniguchi. He was a long-time TMT supporter who helped to establish The Food Basket and was its chair at the time of his passing. Taniguchi is credited with making the first food donation to the agency in 1989. He carried that first food donation to the Office of Social Ministry’s Carol Ignacio’s car and the first food delivery was made to Hilo’s Salvation Army. That first food delivery led to over 20 years of food bank activity, two warehouses in Hilo and Kona and tens of thousands of pounds of food collected and distributed to families in need.
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About The Food Basket
Providing hunger relief since 1989, The Food Basket's mission is to end hunger in Hawaii county. The nonprofit organization provides food assistance to those who need it most, including the elderly, families, children and those facing financial hardship. In a typical month, The Food Basket serves 14,000 unduplicated individuals through its network for more than 150 partner agencies. For more information, visit www.HawaiiFoodBasket.org or call 933-6030 (Hilo) or 322-1418 (Kona).
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