The University of Hawaiʻi’s Annual Food Drive is now underway and will continue though April 27. The university’s drive is part of Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s annual statewide food drive, which helps to serve Hawaiʻi’s needy, including more than 55,000 children, 11,000 elderly, plus homeless, disabled and working poor families, and others needing temporary assistance. Last year, the Hawaiʻi Foodbank distributed over 11.8 million pounds of food to island residents.
The UH effort is part of the state employees food drive coalition, which is the largest contributor to the annual event. In 2011, UH employees collected 11,957 pounds of food (nearly 19 percent of the state total) and $45,265 in cash (almost 27 percent of the state total).
This year, the Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s overall goal is to again provide one million meals. Every 1.25 pounds of food donated equals one meal, and every $10 donated helps the Hawaiʻi Foodbank distribute food for 25 meals.
The top five most wanted food items are canned meats, canned meals, canned soups, canned vegetables and canned fruits.
Each UH campus and unit is participating in the food drive. Those who would like to donate—food or monetary contributions—should contact their unit or campus coordinator for more information. With everyone’s help, the university will again lead state employees in assisting this worthy cause.
For more information on this year’s UH Food Drive, email UH System coordinator Lowell Angell or call (808) 956-4890.
