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Wasteful actions
throw light on
difficulties facing
food banks

Question: I witnessed a disturbing sight on Queen Street near South Street about 2 p.m. or so Dec. 2, as well as the week before. The week before, some young people got on the No. 6 bus carrying many bags of groceries. Two guys tore into some bags, took a couple of bites of food, then threw the stuff on the floor. They also left food items on the seats. On Dec. 2, one guy threw a whole bag of groceries in the trash can after getting off the bus at Hotel/Alakea streets. There were cans of meat, salmon, vegetables, cookies, bread, cereal bars, half a gallon of melted ice cream, etc. It looks like they are getting this stuff from a food hand-out place. Throwing it away is shameful. If people are donating food for a food bank and then these people are trashing it, why bother to give to the food banks? Who is handing out these groceries in that area? Please advise them not to give to these young people who obviously have no respect for what is donated.

Answer: We turned to the Hawaii Foodbank for help in tracking down the organization that might have been the source of the food.

It apparently was distributed by the Life Food Pantry of the Community Life Resource Center, a nonprofit organization operated by the Word of Life Church, according to Lori Kaya, spokeswoman for the Hawaii Foodbank.

The center, which distributes food to about 300 people a week, was made aware of the problem "and has taken a proactive role by changing how the food is distributed," she said.

But both Kaya and the Community Life Resource Center hope the actions of a few irresponsible people don't prevent you from donating food to people who truly do need, and appreciate, the help.

In a statement, the center said it offers struggling families and individuals a weekly opportunity to shop -- for free -- for food, clothing, appliances, furniture and other necessities. The only qualification is that the person is "in need of food for self or family."

The Life Food Pantry is set up like a supermarket, unlike most other food pantries in the state. Each shopper is allowed to select their own food items. However, limits are set based on availability of items and to discourage shoppers from taking more than they need, according to an official with the resource center.

Since the pantry is run solely by volunteers and therefore, a limited number of people, it said it isn't able to monitor what happens with the food.

"But we are constantly walking around the neighborhood to pick up trash left behind by shoppers," the official said. "A joint effort between the Hawaii Food Bank, its member agencies and the general public may help to diminish, but not curtail this problem, by exposing the perpetrators and taking action against them through suspension or termination of shopping privileges at food pantries island-wide."

The Hawaii Foodbank distributes food to about 250 member agencies, some serving only a specific group, such as the homeless, or children, or the elderly, or single mothers, etc., she said. Some have eligibility requirements, others are open to the general public.

"The Hawaii Foodbank does not have the right to tell our member agencies who they should serve; we only provide them with the food they need to distribute to those they serve," Kaya said.

She said some agencies serving the general public do not ask for any proof of need because such demands often result in feelings of shame and prevent people from seeking help.

"The majority of those who come, come because they truly need the food," Kaya said.

Kaya expressed gratitude to the public for donating food, funds and support to help those who are truly in need.

Meanwhile, the official of the Life Food Pantry says it's unfortunate "that the actions of some unappreciative individuals continue to undermine the efforts of those who devote much of their time and effort to combat hunger in Hawaii."

Instead of stopping your donations because of them, the hope is that people will step up their giving.

Q: I am writing out of frustration regarding a roadside drain near my home on Auloa Road in Maunawili. Maunawili is in a very wet part of Oahu, with frequent rains. Along the low section of the road there is a drainage grate that six years ago was empty, allowing for proper runoff. Now, the drain is full with dirt and rocks, which has resulted in a dangerous situation, specifically, flooding of the roadway. I have explained the situation to the folks at the city Department of Facility Maintenance more than a year ago, and was told that they were waiting on equipment necessary to clear the drain from the other side of the road. While this may be true, nothing has been done and the drain remains clogged. Can you please help?

A: The "grated inlet" in question was cleaned on Thursday, two days after we passed your complaint on to the Department of Facility Maintenance.

That was probably coincidence.

Although you indicated nothing had been done for about a year, department records showed the drain also was cleared last September, said Laverne Higa, the new head of Facility Maintenance.

She explained that a crane could not be used because of overhead utility lines in the area. Instead, a hoptoe, which has an "arm" that can be used to dig the rocks and dirt had to do the job.

The problem, Higa said, is that "we are short staffed, like everyone else."

Q: When will you print the list of Tax-Aide sites where we can get free help to prepare our taxes?

A: We are planning to run that list Jan. 30.

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