'The power of aloha': State employees collect canned goods for a good cause

By Taryn Mitchell
HNN Summer Intern

379,503.

That's how many meals the Hawaii Foodbank will be able to provide thanks to months-long donation drive of state employees.

As part of the drive, employees collected over 57,000 pounds of food and $134,619 to assist those in need.

Lt. Gov. Doug Chin presented the donation to the food bank Wednesday at a special ceremony at the state Capitol building.

"The people of Hawaii are one ohana and the many state employees who participated in this year's food drive have shown the power of aloha," Chin said.

To donate to the Hawaii Foodbank, click here.

The state employees food drive was first introduced in 1999. In that first year, it collected donations to cover over 265,000 meals.

"We are coming together for the community but we need to continue to do more," said Hawaii Foodbank President and CEO Ron Mizutani.

"Without the state's participation, without every department, without every person in here, your efforts, your passion, please know that, your hard work is truly making a difference in our community."

The Hawaii Foodbank serves Oahu and Kauai.

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