KAUA'I NORTH SHORE FOOD PANTRY
The Food Pantry has grown so successful, it's become it's own independent nonprofit organization! Congratulations and Mahalo Nui Loa to all our church members and volunteers who have enabled this amazing church ministry to grow into a lasting organization serving the North Shore community!
The Kaua'i North Shore Food Pantry is open weekly on Saturdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., or until food runs out, in the Christ Memorial Parish Hall at 2518 Kolo Road (across the street from the stone church). Join us as we continue to support the Food Pantry in service to our community. Good News: We have leased a used van to carry our hundreds of pounds of food items from the Lihue area Food Banks to our Parish Hall every Friday. We had been borrowing the vehicles of friends and parishioners, but because of the wear and tear on others' trucks, this was not a sustainable solution to our transportation needs. Mahalo nui to all of the individuals and granting organizations for your generous support. Your caring has enabled the Food Pantry to open and keep going, as well as making possible our new van for transport. You have been instrumental in our continuing endeavor to feed our hungry neighbors. *Media Release August 28, 2016 from the Garden Island Newspaper (Prior to Independence) Christ Memorial Food Pantry Celebrates 2nd Successful Year 151 People Fed Every Saturday Kilauea — Christ Memorial Episcopal Church (CMEC) commemorated the second anniversary of its food pantry with a special celebration for its food pantry ohana Saturday. Since its inception in 2014, the CMEC Food Pantry has been steadily growing, and in the second year of operation, fed 2292 shoppers, representing food for 7,713 people and family members. “The CMEC food pantry was launched to help people who have a difficult time feeding themselves and their families. Hawaii has some of the highest food costs in the nation. With many people earning minimum wage and seniors on fixed incomes, it is often difficult for them to make ends meet,”commented voluntary operations manager Cathy Butler. “We open on Saturday to fill the gap in the week for other pantries before our keiki go to school on Monday”, Butler noted. “It is a privilege to serve our north shore ohana with a food pantry,” said Rev. Robin Taylor, Vicar at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church. “As Christians, we believe God calls us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every single human being. So in our mission to care for our neighbors, we start with meeting basic needs. “ The pantry would not be possible without community volunteers and community financial support. During the second year, more than 3,000 volunteer hours were tabulated, three times the volunteer hours of the first year of operation, involved in purchasing and moving 70,000 pounds of purchased food, and donated produce, stacking and unstacking large shelves and serving behind the tables of food for shoppers. “It is an honor to work with a team that is so dedicated to the community. Food on Kauai is very expensive. The pantry welcomes everyone, and we feel like we have become another ohana,” said Butler. Christ Memorial’s pantry is dedicated to serving the healthiest food possible, and is set up to allow people to “shop” and choose what they need. The pantry includes large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are often donated by local growers. To help launch the pantry, Christ Memorial established a partnership with the Hanalei Bay Rotary during the first two years of set-up and operation. The Rotary generously offered volunteers, financing and business advice. The Food Pantry is now nearly self-sustaining with donations from individuals, and foundation grants, from across Kauai and from the mainland. Everyone is welcome, regardless of religious affiliation. Creating this pantry would not be possible without the support of many individuals and foundations who have graciously offered financial assistance. Visitors to Kaua'i! If you find that you have unopened food at the end of your stay, consider donating such items to our Food Pantry. Contact the Food Pantry Operations Manager at the number below. For information on how to donate funds or food, or to volunteer, call the Food Pantry Operations Manager, Cathy Butler, at 970.618.8889. To visit the Kaua'i North Shore Food Pantry's website, follow the link here. 
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