Big Island community serves up heaping helping of aloha for those in need

Community members came together throughout the month before Thanksgiving to serve up a heaping helping of aloha, donating more than a half-ton of nonperishable food to help end hunger and increase food security around the Big Island.

A total of 1,327 pounds of food was collected during the Orchid Isle Ford and Steve Marshall Group Fill the Ford Food Drive from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15 at the dealership’s locations in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.

“We’re excited to share the heartwarming success of our Fill the Ford Food Drive, a month-long initiative that brought together the incredible people of the Big Island to help local families in need,” said Shannon Atkinson, Orchid Isle Ford marketing coordinator.

The drive is in partnership with The Food Basket, Hawai‘i Island’s food bank, a nonprofit that works tirelessly to ensure no family goes hungry.

The dealership parked one Ford F-150 each at its Hilo and Kailua-Kona locations at the beginning of the food drive to fill with food. Once that truck’s bed was filled, another was parked in its place and they kept collecting.

“Thanks to the generosity and support of our community, we were able to fill multiple Ford F-150 truck beds with food donations at both our Hilo and Kona locations,” Atkinson said. “These donations will be making a meaningful impact for families served by [The Food Basket]. The effort showcased the aloha spirit that makes our island home so special.”

Examples of food donated include canned vegetables, rice, pasta, peanut butter, canned meats and more.

Here is a breakdown of food donations between the two locations:

• Hilo: 633 pounds.
• Kailua-Kona: 694 pounds.

The food will immediately help individuals and families suffering from food insecurity.

Orchid Isle Ford also surprised The Food Basket’s Hilo and Kona locations with cash donations of $5,000 each.

The $10,000 total contribution — at an average cost of 41 cents per meal — will provide more than 24,000 meals to people facing hunger on the Big Island.

Atkinson said Orchid Isle Ford is elated by the impact of this year’s food drive. It not only highlights the generosity of the community, it also reinforces the dealership’s and Steve Marshall Group’s commitment to giving back and supporting those in need.

“Our community showed up in a big way, and we are so proud to have been able to deliver both food and financial support to The Food Basket,” said Atkinson. “Together, we’re driving hunger out of the Big Island!”