FOOD BANKS RECEIVE $100,000 IN EMERGENCY FUNDS FROM THE  ALEXANDER & BALDWIN FOUNDATION
Grants awarded for emergency food assistance

HONOLULU, HAWAII - Four of Hawaii’s community food banks – Maui Food Bank, Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Food Bank and the Hawaii Island Food Bank – recently accepted grants from the Alexander & Baldwin Foundation designated for emergency food to be distributed to island families needing food and household supplies. In total, $100,000 in funding was awarded. A&B Foundation President Allen Doane presented the grants on Maui and Oahu to each organization’s volunteer leadership and staff, and other A&B Foundation officials presented the grants on Kauai and the Big Island. Also participating were members of management from A&B’s business operations, which fund the Alexander & Baldwin Foundation. They include Matson Navigation Co., A&B Properties, Inc., Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., East Maui Irrigation Co., Kahului Trucking & Storage, Kauai Coffee® Co. and Kauai Commercial Co.

“Our research showed that, over the past year, the demand for the food banks’ services has increased dramatically—probably the result of the slowed economy and recent social service reforms. This donation is intended to help build the food banks’ resources and boost their ability to feed Hawaii’s hungry families,” said Doane.

These grants come from the A&B Foundation’s Manawalea program. Earlier this year, the A&B Foundation introduced its Manawalea fund, established to provide assistance to those in the community temporarily affected by unemployment or under-employment. Manawalea is Hawaiian for 'a generous heart, to give freely and willingly.’

The Foundation’s goal was to provide support for residents’ most basic needs; first, housing and food were identified as priority areas of need, then, the Foundation identified agencies that were efficient providers of assistance in these areas. In May of this year, $150,000 was provided to four housing assistance non-profits across the state, one in each county. A total of $100,000 has now been similarly provided for emergency food assistance through grants to four organizations across the state.

“A&B has its roots and, more importantly, its future firmly planted in Hawaii and we are deeply committed to the Hawaii community,” said Doane. “With these special grants, our desire is to help the community food banks maintain a level of food supply that will enable them to respond in some way to each request they receive.” Doane added.

Since September of last year, food banks experienced an increase in food distribution ranging from 50 – 100% on some islands. Early on, the food banks received considerable support from private foundations as well as state support, however, funds were expended by June 2002.

Maui Food Bank
In acknowledging receipt of the grant on behalf of MFB, Debra Johnson said, “We have been constantly amazed and thankful at the commitment that the A&B Foundation has shown to the Maui community via their support of our efforts. For the past three years the board and staff at the Maui Food Bank have primarily focused on stabilizing the food bank and increasing our capacity to serve more people in more efficient ways, and the A&B Foundation has helped us through every step of this phase. In hindsight, if folks such as the A&B Foundation hadn’t been there early on, we would not have had the ability to respond to the sudden and drastic increase in need last fall as quickly or as thoroughly as we did. This gesture on their part, by providing a grant of this magnitude to continue our efforts at reaching those in need means a great deal. We are very thankful for all that A&B has done for to assist the food bank with its mission. We have a lot to do, and we couldn’t do it without the valuable support of partners such as the A&B Foundation who share our commitment to ending hunger in our community.”

Maui Food Bank observed an unusual but steady increase in its distribution beginning in October 2001, as more and more people either lost their jobs or had their hours reduced. Adding to the overall problem was the advent of welfare reform, with dozens of families losing their cash assistance beginning in November. As of July 2002, food distribution has increased an average of 16,000 pounds of food per month -- an average of 80,000 pounds of food distribution each month. This year, they expect to distribute 1.2 million pounds of food, estimated to cost $2 million at wholesale prices, reaching an estimated 1 in 10 Maui residents.

Hawaii Foodbank 
Hawaii Foodbank’s Executive Director Dick Grimm said, “Throughout the years, A&B and its Foundation have helped to insure that the people of Hawaii could count on them in times of need. This is just another example of the fine work they do. I speak for the nearly 120,000 needy that the Hawaii Foodbank, its agencies and neighbor island food banks help feed each week, and thank A&B for thinking of us.”

In fiscal year 2001-2002, the Hawaii Foodbank distributed 8.5 million pounds of food, a 1 million pound increase over last year’s levels. As of July 2002, food distribution has increased to 756,495 pounds of food representing a 40% increase over last July. In addition, 173,161 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed through HFB’s Ohana Produce program.
During this year’s annual Food Drive, HFB collected 630,122 pounds of food and $388,167 in cash donations.

Kauai Food Bank
Executive Director Judith Lenthall said, “A&B has helped the Food Bank before and we are delighted that they continue to partner with us to serve the people of Kauai. This will help in our holiday planning as we try to provide holiday meals for as many people who need it.”

In fiscal year 2001-2002, the Kauai Food Bank distributed 1,333,973 pounds of food. As of January through August 2002, the Kauai Food Bank distributed 907,153 pounds of food -- 355,579 pounds more than the same time period in 2001. The Spring Food and Fund Drive collected 16,199 pounds of food and $19,483 in cash donations. The next KFB Food and Fund Drive is scheduled for November 1 through December 15 with a goal of 20,000 pounds of food and $40,000 in cash donations.

Hawaii Island Food Bank
The Hawaii Island Food Bank is a program of the Office of Social Ministry. Executive Director Carol Ignacio said, “This gift comes at such an opportune time. It will help our agencies to serve the increasing numbers of people they handle every month. Community support is essential to maintaining this service and we are grateful to the A&B Foundation for helping to ensure that our island families won’t have to worry about whether or not they’ll have enough to eat tonight.”

In fiscal year 2001-2002, the Hawaii Island Food Bank distributed 1.4 million pounds of food throughout Hawaii County. Food was distributed through food pantries—where food packages are given out—to an average of 9,580 people every month, an increase of over 1,190 people each month. Hot meal and snack programs, which serve children and adults in need either through meal programs open to the public or through day and after-school programs, served an average of 5,868 people each month, an increase of over 1,160 people every month.

During this year’s annual Food Drive, HIFB collected 52,000 pounds of food and $27,000 in cash donations. The next HIFB Annual Food Drives are scheduled for this November through December and March through April 2003.

The Alexander & Baldwin Foundation is funded by the business activities of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Meredith J. Ching 808-525-6669

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