Clara Uechi (pictured above) stretched her way into her 79th year as she celebrated her birthday in a class at Kona Yoga this past Saturday. Friends who joined her, were asked to bring donations for the Food Basket instead of gifts. Throughout the two-hour class, attendees won prizes as names were drawn for an assortment of health related items and treatments. No cake and ice cream = 0 calories!
This morning, one hundred and one pounds of canned meats, boxed cereals, peanut butter, canned fruits and more, were delivered to the Food Basket along with checks and cash totaling $1,175 in honor of Clara's birthday. Clara, along with everyone who donated the food, cash and prizes, were elated by the spirit of giving.
Once known as the Hawaii Island Food Bank, The Food Basket became a separate 501(c)(3) corporation in July 2007. The warehouse off Kuakini Highway, just north of Teshima's Restaurant, stores the donated foods (including fresh produce) and distributes them to partnering agencies who in turn serve hot meals to child and adult programs and to groups that serve the chronically ill, homeless, abuse shelters and substance abuse recovery programs. The Senior Brown Bag Program is also operated by the Food Basket and provides items for low-income seniors on a weekly basis.
The shelves were looking rather bare this morning when I snapped this shot with my phone. I unloaded bags of food that filled a shopping cart, but there was a woman from an agency in Waimea loading up another one. What's needed are more Birthday Parties!
The Food Basket employee who assisted me this morning, said that they're experiencing a shortage of rice at this time so a donation drive is scheduled for Halloween at the Lanihau Center from 12 noon to 7pm. Spread the word, that's the Trick. Feed the hungry, that's the Treat.
