Editor’s note: Each Wednesday, West Hawaii Today is publishing a story about individuals, groups or organizations that have helped make life better for others in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In support of The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s Food Bank, The Waikoloa Foundation organized a resort-wide food drive to benefit food insecure families throughout Hawaii Island amid the holidays.
“The pandemic has only heightened food insecurity on Hawaii Island and the challenges local families face every day,” said Kristin Frost Albrecht, executive director of The Food Basket. “We’re grateful for The Waikoloa Foundation’s generosity, support and keen understanding of what our community needs to survive and thrive.”
The Food Basket helps between 40,000 and 50,000 families a month — a sharp increase brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now serving half of Hawaii Island’s population, The Food Basket continues to work alongside community partners and advance their supplemental food programs, traditional food pantries and congregate meal sites to assist kamaaina.
“The Food Basket’s work is so critical to ensuring the health and wellbeing of families throughout Hawaii Island,” said Cary Boeddeker, board chairperson, The Waikoloa Foundation. “Serving our community is at the very heart of what we do at The Foundation, and we’re deeply honored to support their organization and the thousands of families in need throughout our community.”
Founded by Waikoloa developer Ron Boeddeker in 1987, The Waikoloa Foundation is a nonprofit established to steward the precious cultural and environmental attributes that make Hawaii unique. The foundation’s primary focus includes protecting and restoring historical and cultural sites, preserving Waikoloa’s natural resources, empowering Hawaii’s future generations, leaders and change-makers through education and community initiatives, leading responsible tourism efforts on the Kohala Coast and encouraging sustainable development to protect Hawaii’s unique ecosystem.
To learn more about the foundation’s mission and commitment to Waikoloa, visit https://waikoloaland.com/foundation/.
Know a Hometown Hero who should be highlighted next Wednesday? It can be anybody, from a youngster doing good for the community, to a professional helping with the COVID-19 pandemic, or even a kupuna! Please send your nominations to cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com with the subject: Hometown Heroes Nomination. Please include the hero’s name, contact information and what makes them a hero.