About Town: September 14, 2020

Produce, ‘Cook Your Own Meal’ bundle pickups announced

Laiopua 2020 will distribute produce bags today and its “Cook Your Own Meal” bundles on Thursday in Kailua-Kona.

Produce bags supplement families’ meals and provide needed fresh fruits and vegetables.

Each “Cook Your Own Meal” bundle includes a recipe and the protein/produce/groceries to prepare the meal. The ingredients are enough to feed a family of six to eight. This week’s meal is Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole. Only the first 150 vehicles will be served.

Distribution will take place at 5 p.m. both days at Laiopua 2020’s center, 74-5210 Keanalehu Drive in Kailua-Kona. Recipients are asked to drive through the parking lot to receive the bundle or bag. One bundle or bag per vehicle.

In addition, free hot meals will be served this evening, Wednesday and Friday at 5 p.m.

VFW-Hawaii announces essay writing contests

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii (VFW-HI) is sponsoring its annual statewide essay writing contests for eligible public and private school students. The deadline to submit an entry to a local VFW post is Oct. 31.

The Patriot’s Pen contest is open to sixth- through eighth-grade students enrolled in a public or private school as of Oct. 1. This year’s theme is, “What is Patriotism to Me?” Essays must be 300 too 400 words in length, typed in English with no color or graphics.

Entries will be judged on knowledge of the theme (30 points max); theme development (35 points max) and clarity of ideas (35 points max).

The local winner will be awarded $400 and be eligible to compete at the national level with prizes up to $5,000.

The Voice of Democracy contest is open to eligible ninth through 12th grade students in public or private schools. The theme, “Is This The Country Our Founders Envisioned?” Entries must be recorded on an audio CD or flash drive and be 3-5 minutes in length.

Entries will be judged on originality (30 points max); content (35 points max); and delivery (35 points max). The entry must be submitted to a local VFW Post by Oct. 31.

The local winner will receive $500 and be eligible to compete at the national level with prizes up to $15,000.

Principals are encouraged to appoint teachers to organize school-level competitions and submit winning entries to the nearest VFW post.

The VFW-HI is comprised of 21 Posts with 4,000 members on Kauai, Maui, Hawaii island, Oahu and American Samoa.

For more information, call or text Wayne Yoshioka, VFW-HI public affairs coordinator, at (808) 342-6565.

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