Hawaii Island Food Basket has released its schedule of ‘Ohana Food Drops for June.   Kristin Frost Albrecht, Executive Director, says the Hawaii Island food is available for anybody.  She says she is seeing multiple first-time users, and welcomes them.  She says she understands how painful it is for people who have always been employed and have not needed such help, as well as for those who have often relied on the Hawaii Island Food Basket help.

Families are urged to carpool to reduce the waiting time, as drivers will be allowed to pick up for multiple families.   She also asks drivers to clean out their trunk or back seat so the volunteers and National Guard members may put the food directly into the vehicle.

Frost Albrecht says the Hawaii Island Food Basket expect to continue these emergency food drops for as long as needed.

She said in “normal times,” the Food Basket receives generous food donations from the community that help them meet their mission of feeding those who need it.  With the COVID-19 crisis, guidelines have been established nationwide that don’t allow people to directly donate pre-packaged food, so the Food Basket has had to buy almost all they give away.  In April alone, the Food Basket spent $300,000 on buying food–almost a half-year’s normal funding.  Frost Albrecht said they have received generous donations from several foundations –Hawaii Community Foundation, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory, and one anonymous donor.  They welcome donations of homegrown fresh fruit and vegetables, and also welcome individual donations at hawaiifoodbasket.org

Frost Albrecht provided a short update on May 20, on the food drops and on funding. Click here for that interview.

Naalehu | Naalehu Shopping Center | Monday, June 1 | 10am

Keaau | Keaau High School | Tuesday, June 2 | 10am

Waikoloa | Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School | Friday, June 5 | 10am

Ocean View | Kahuku Park | Tuesday, June 9 | 10am

Hilo | Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium | Wednesday, June 10 | 10am

Waimea | Waimea District Park | Thursday, June 11 | 10am

Kona | Kona Community Aquatic Center | Thursday, June 18 | 10am

Pahoa | Pahoa Community Center | Friday, June 19 | 10am

Kohala | Kamehameha Park | Monday, June 22 | 10am

Volcano | Cooper Center | Wednesday, June 24 | 10am

Hookena | Hookena Elementary School | Thursday, June 25 | 10am

Papaaloa | Papaaloa Community Center Gym | Friday, June 26 | 10am

Honokaa | Honokaa Sports Complex and Skate Park | Friday, June 26 | 1pm

Pahala | Kau District Gym | Tuesday, June 30 | 10am

Photos are from May 21 food drop at Old Kona Airport Gym.