Students and families in need received some essential food items thanks to the first-ever Kapi'olani 'Ohana Produce Plus Food Distribution.
Since the beginning of last year Kapi'olani Community College's Lunalilo Scholar's Program has been able to provide nonperishable food items to roughly 100 families each week through the Pohukaina Food Pantry. Earlier this month Denise Pierson, Service Learning Coordinator at Kapi'olani CC, was able to team up with the Hawai'i Foodbank to include perishable items for the produce plus distribution event.
Cars lined up for the giveaway on Feb. 12. Some people, like Joshua, walked to the campus to pick up their food. He said he was "awed" by the amount of goods being given out. He had walked from McCully with an empty backpack for the giveaway.
Before he left, Joshua was given some cold water and money for a bus ride home. Joshua was so appreciative he noted he'd like to volunteer at Kapi'olani CC to show just how much the food donations meant to him.
"The outpouring of sharing and giving from Kapi'olani CC 'Ohana was magical," Louise Yamamoto, Community Relations director for the University of Hawai'i, said in a release posted on the university's website. "To see the volunteers modeling every nuance of giving unconditionally was proof of how the people at Kapi'olani CC mālama their communities."
The event was so successful a second Kapi'olani 'Ohana Produce Plus Food Distribution is set for Thursday, April 8. Yamamoto encouraged students and staff to keep an eye out for the opportunity to volunteer for the event.
"It is a 'feel good' moment that will bring you face-to-fae with the communities that Kapi'olani CC serves," Yamamoto said in the release.