KCH Thanksgiving Food Drive Reaches Goal

Kona Community Hospital recently wrapped up its Thanksgiving food drive.

The hospital, in partnership with The Food Basket – Hawai’i Island’s Food Bank, held it’s first-ever food drive, which aimed to provide Thanksgiving dinner bags for 100 families in the community.

Hospital officials say the two-week drive received “overwhelming community support.”

Ali’i Health Center and West Hawai’i Community Health Center also stepped up by collecting non-perishable items at their clinics.

Medical staff members also made generous monetary donations to fulfill the hospital’s goal.

“We wanted to do something that reflects our values as a community hospital as well as our belief that everyone is ‘Ohana,” said Marketing Director Judy Donovan.

Makana Watson and Judy Donovan inventory donated food items. Kona Community Hospital courtesy photo.

A 15-year-old Waimea teen joined in on the effort, collecting food in his neighborhood for the project. Makana Watson and his mother, Kimi, joined KCH as the food was organized.

Each bag was filled by KCH staff members on Nov. 18 and included canned meats like chicken or spam, canned fruits and vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce, boxed stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, and boxed desserts, along with a canned ham.

The bags were presented to The Food Basket and will be distributed to families by The Friendly Place, a joint food ministry run by Mokuaikaua Church and St. Michael’s Parish.

“This Thanksgiving food drive has allowed us to give back to our community,” said Alexa Herrera.