Yes, we can build a wall of Spam

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Star-Bulletin staff

The No. 1 item on the Foodbank wish list is not something as wholesome as rice, or as nutritionally sound as green beans.

No, the top item on the wish list is Spam.

To that end, supporters would like to build a "Wall of Spam" at Restaurant Row in honor of the Foodbank's 13th annual Food Drive later this month. The idea is to break the current record of 3,390 cans in a wall at the Spam Museum in Austin, Minn.

To be part of this historic effort, hand over some Spam cans. After all, is it not a mark of a civilized society that it willingly provides gelatinous pink protein to its most needy?

Contributions are being accepted at the Restaurant Row management office, to go into a wall in the center of the Row Plaza, next to Lucarelli's.

Joining Restaurant Row as sponsors of the Spamathon effort are the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and MidWeek.

The Food Drive takes place April 27 at locations throughout Oahu, but a kickoff is set for noon Friday at Restaurant Row, with entertainment and a chance to learn more about the Food Drive. Call 532-4750.

This year's goal is to collect 500,000 pounds of food and $325,000 cash to provide for Hawaii's needy. Along with Spam, the Foodbank also encourages donations of other canned meats and protein foods, soups, pork and beans, fruits and vegetables and peanut butter.

Can you help?

Last year, 2,000 volunteers helped with the Food Drive, and this year's event is once again dependent on people willing to give a few hours of time at collection areas.

Workers are needed at these sites on April 27:
>> Restaurant Row, 2 to 5:30 p.m.
>> Windward City Shopping Center, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
>> Koko Marina, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
>> Town Center, Mililani, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
>> Pearl City Shopping Center, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
>> Waiokeola Congregational Church, Kahala, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
>> McCully Shopping Center, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shifts run 3-1/2 to four hours. The first 150 volunteers at each site will receive Foodbank T-shirts. For an application form call 836-3600, Ext. 239.

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