Tommy “Kahikina” Ching has been making his way around the Big Island’s KTA Super Stores collecting food and money for his 21st annual Feed-A-Thon to benefit the Hawaii Food Basket.
The Feed-A-Thon has been on a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, but Ching has picked up right where he left off.
He started his food drive Tuesday at the Kailua-Kona KTA followed by the Waikoloa store on Wednesday, Puainako Thursday and today, and wrapping things up in Keauhou on Saturday. He is at each location from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Our goal is 100,000 pounds of food, however I have been challenged to raise $3,000 a day,” said Ching.
His “Hunger Angel,” an anonymous donor who has supported Ching in past food drives, will match that $3,000 every day he meets that goal. That would mean an additional $15,000 supporting The Food Basket. So far, Kona and Waikoloa have surpassed that goal.
Every dollar collected equals 5 pounds of food added to the food pantry’s supply through a wholesale purchase agreement with KTA.
Nonperishable items needed include both meat and plant-based proteins (beans, peanut butter, etc), rice, saimin, pop-top soups and canned meals, canned veggies, pasta and cereal.
As of 3 p.m. Thursday, Ching has collected 2,000 pounds of food and $20,500, including matching funds.
For those who cannot make it to one of the KTA locations, donations can be made at hawaiifoodbasket.org.
“It’s Hawaiian-style to share, because if we all share, we all move forward together,” said Ching.