The Kohala Center in Waimea has launched the Full Calabash Fund, a statewide effort to support vulnerable families and food producers most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Initially established with support from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the Full Calabash Fund will provide grants to Hawaiʻi’s community-based organizations that provide food procured from local farmers, ranchers, and food producers to community members in need. The Fund is administered by The Kohala Center, an independent, community-based nonprofit organization based on Hawai‘i Island.

Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations and meal preparation services with deep connection to place and their community, and demonstrated experience working with food-insecure communities in Hawai‘i and regional partners to source, prepare, and distribute food. Grantees must dedicate at least half of awarded funds to purchase agricultural products from Hawai‘i-based farmers, ranchers, and food producers. A portion of funds can be used to support general operating expenses and indirect costs.

Applications are available online at kohalacenter.org/business/full-calabash-fund or by calling The Kohala Center at 808-887-6411. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, December 8, 2020 by 5 p.m. HST.

Donations to the Full Calabash Fund will be accepted through December 31, 2020. For more information about the Fund, to download an application, or to make a donation, please visit The Kohala Center’s website at koha.la/calabash or contact Nicole Milne at nmilne@kohalacenter.org or 808-887-6411.

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