KAPA Radio Holds Keiki Food Drive

KAPA graphics and photos.

Fourteen public elementary schools on the island of Hawaiʻi benefited from KAPA Radio’s 2016 Keiki Food Drive.

The intent of this effort is to provide meals to keiki during intersession breaks when they are out of school, which typically lasts two to three weeks.

KAPA raised $2,137.53 and packed 1,000 food bags in a span of three weeks.

Food and monetary donations were dropped off during live KAPA broadcasts at various locations, as well as through www.hiuw.org/keiki.

“Food Drives are great… if you know where the food is going!” said Kaʻea Lyons, KAPA Radio personality and content and brand manager. “We take the food donations and use the monetary donations to purchase more food. We then meet at the Food Basket in Kona and we pack each bag ourselves. Then we deliver to each school that is a recipient.”

The 14 schools are chosen based on need. KAPA used a survey they send out during their Slipper Drive at the beginning of the school year and information that is collected from their free and reduced meals programs for Title 1 funds.

“The Food Basket is thankful for community efforts to help bridge gaps in food availability on our island,” says Jamilia Epping, The Food Basket’s director of public relations and events. “KAPA has been conducting its keiki food drive for several years and providing a means to a need for children who may otherwise struggle with hunger.”

“I always say out of sight, out of mind!” said Lyons. “After many years teaching in the DOE [Department of Education], I would see it on a daily basis. When you know these are the only meals these children are eating during the school day—what happens when there is no school?”