HFS Members and Staff Raise Over $33,000 for The Food Basket

Fundraiser Results

Through the generous support of HFS FCU’s members and staff, the Credit Union was able to raise $33,312.19 for this excellent program!

“Due to the truly amazing outpouring of generosity by HFS FCU members, over 2,000 vulnerable children on Hawai’i Island will receive a backpack full of nutritious and easy to prepare food which will help them to develop, learn and thrive. Our warmest mahalo to all the HFS FCU staff and members who donated to the “We Got Your Back” Keiki Backpack Program for your help in making sure all children on our island have enough to eat.” – Kristin Frost Albrecht, The Food Basket Executive Director.

The Food Basket has been providing hunger relief to those in need since 1989. The “We’ve Got Your Back” Keiki Backpack Program offers nutritional supplements to low-income elementary school-aged children at schools with a high number of free and reduced lunches. Keiki will receive their bags before long school breaks or weekends when they may not have meals available to them. Kristin highlighted that the number of keiki receiving free and reduced lunches has increased since the prior year. Donations help to expand the number of keiki that can be supported by the program.

“This year we are simply in awe of the kindness and support we received from our members and staff,” says HFS FCU Marketing Coordinator, Ashley Yamamoto. “Mahalo to The Food Basket for having this amazing program available to our keiki and tirelessly working toward ending hunger on our island. You can tell that they have such aloha for people and passion for what they do, it’s truly inspiring,” says HFS FCU Marketing Specialist, Jesica Pacheco.

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Help The Food Basket end hunger in Hawai’i by making a donation at any HFS FCU branch location between May 1 – May 31, 2019. Plus, make a donation of $20.00 or more and you’ll receive a FREE HFS gift, while supplies last.

Donations go toward their Keiki Backpacks program, providing nutritional supplements to low-income keiki. The Food Basket distributes bags to local elementary schools that have a high number of free and reduced lunches. Keiki receive bags ahead of long school breaks or weekends, when their meals may be inconsistent, or not present at all.

About The Food Basket

The Food Basket is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating hunger and food waste in Hawai’i County. As a trusted and stable agency they also distribute the safest and highest quality food in Hawaii. Their vision is to provide the leadership necessary for Hawai’i County to become a model for food security and sustainability. Their programs supply the community with the access to the type of food assistance they need.

Aside from their Keiki Backpacks, The Food Basket also has the following programs:

• DA BOX – Created to both support local farmers and to provide affordable access to fresh, Hawai’i Island grown produce.
• Kupuna Pantry CSFP – A food program that works to improve the health of low-income elderly persons at least 60 years of age, by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods.
• DA BUX – An incentive program for SNAP-EBT cardholders that matches EBT dollars spent on Hawai’i Island grown produce with additional free produce.
• DA BUS – A mobile pop-up market of Island-grown produce that visits low-income/low-access rural areas.
• SNAP – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that allows eligible households to receive money every month, to be used on groceries.

In addition to food, their programs provide people with social contact and promote community cohesiveness. The Food Basket also offers various jobs and volunteer opportunities, and hold special events throughout the year.

Visit The Food Basket’s website to learn more about their programs, mission, and how you can volunteer.

Stop by a branch near you today to make a donation! Mahalo!