CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Kalei Perez of Child and Family Services readies some of the 300 baskets, assembled by Girl Scouts, for distribution to needy families.

Long-term care

Isle Girl Scouts craft gift baskets
for the needy in a 10-year-old
holiday tradition

ALLIE GALATI was 6 years old when she created her first Christmas holiday food basket. This year, she managed to make five baskets with the help of her fellow Girl Scout troop members.

The baskets are neither for friends nor family members, but are destined for needy families through the Child and Family Service Holiday Food Basket Project, which has become one of now 16-year-old Allie's Christmas traditions.

As a youngster, she thought it was a fun project. "Now, I realize the troubles people go through in their lives. I realize how this service project really helps needy families," she said.

The holidays can be the saddest time of year for those in need. Imagine having to worry about having to feed your family instead of how long it would take to find a parking stall at the mall.

The local Girl Scouts pondered the question and came up with a solution. For the last 10 years, they have made holiday baskets for the Child and Family Service Holiday Food Basket Project. This year, more than 1,800 Girl Scouts in 50 troops joined forces.

The project started when Girl Scout leader Rayna Galati organized a first-grade community service project with her daughter Allie. A dozen 6-year-old Girl Scouts created 11 holiday food baskets for families, complete with gift certificates for a ham or turkey and all the food items needed to put a festive holiday meal on the table.

The baskets were well received by CFS families, so the project evolved into an annual affair. This year, the girls, now 16, made 265 baskets that were distributed last week. About 50 baskets also were delivered to families on the neighbor islands.

"I go by this saying: 'To whom much is given, much is expected.' I have been fortunate in my life, so it makes me feel good about giving back," Allie said. "I have stuck with the project because it gives me a good feeling to help underprivileged families. I understand the importance and significance of helping the community I live in."

"It just sort of snowballed," said Galati, a longtime volunteer at CFS. "It is a great service learning opportunity for our Girl Scouts. They are helping families who otherwise might not be able to have a holiday meal, and they are doing something very special for each family."

The baskets are distributed to residential group homes dedicated to the care of troubled teens, domestic violence shelters, and programs dedicated to helping Hawaii's refugee and immigrant populations.

"I feel really good doing stuff for others at Christmas," Allie said. "It's not all about receiving gifts ... it's about giving. I'm happy that the holidays don't just revolve around me and my friends. It's really nice to be able to help people who don't have all the same opportunities."

COURTESY OF RAYNA GALATI Allie Galati, left, and Amanda Harris made many a food basket for the scouts. Today, at age 16, Galati continues the tradition.

THE PROJECT is entirely organized and implemented by volunteers, along with Girl Scout leaders and Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes and Senior Scouts from Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. The girls earn a specially designed Girl Scout patch for their efforts.

WorldWide Movers donates the use of a large truck each year to pick up the 40- to 50-pound baskets and deliver them to various agencies.

"We look forward to this annual tradition of holiday giving," said Geri Marullo, CEO of Child and Family Service. "The families that receive these baskets every year are among the neediest in Hawaii."

The girls put a lot of effort into deciding what foods to purchase and how to create their baskets, said Galati. For starters, there are gift certificates to grocery stores for canned hams, stuffing mixes, canned vegetables, yams, cranberry sauce, boxed potatoes and packaged gravy.

Additional nonperishable food items like Spam, tuna, spaghetti and sauce also might be added. Many baskets are accompanied by large bags of rice.

"We put a little bit of everything from the food pyramid," said Girl Scout Jenn Proctor.

Food items are not the only gifts. "They come up with ingenious ways of packaging items including laundry baskets and coolers," Galati said. "They also take the time to write to the families, make ornaments and include toys and small gifts for the families."

"I'm glad I can help people out there who are less fortunate. They don't receive these things on a daisy basis," Proctor said. "It feels good making these food baskets, knowing we are making the holidays special for so many families. I'm happy to have helped to make someone's life better."

Allie hopes the tradition will continue with Girl Scout troops throughout the state long after her troop leaves for college in two years.

Galati is always inspired by the involvement of the troops and their leaders. "They feel a true sense of accomplishment when the baskets are delivered," she said.

Allie said she would still take time to make the food baskets even if her friends chose to discontinue the service: "I have learned the importance of it over the years. It doesn't matter to me if my friends are doing it ... what matters is that families are given food for Christmas."

COURTESY OF RAYNA GALATI Rayna Galati was leader of daughter Allie's Girl Scout troop when the scouts began the food basket community service project that is now 10 years old.