HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0606.001 2010-2012 Aloha, my name is Roland Higashi, chair of the Hawaii Food
Basket. On behalf of the board and our employees, we are humbled N �
by the unconditional support provided by the public, private and
business sectors of our community. = `_
Like many community organizations today, we are also
financially challenged during these difficult economic times.
However, we are a very well managed organization who continue to c? = '
implement new policies and procedures to carry us through these
difficult times.
Food supply and distribution are our main challenges.
We are in the process of improving both our distribution
centers in Hilo and Kona.
In Hilo, we recently purchased a warehouse on a short term
State lease instead of paying a monthly rent and have partnered with
businesses who have donated their services or materials such as Ivan
Mochida Contracting, HPM Building Supply, Jas. W. Glover, Home
Depot, Central Supply, Yamada & Sons, Hilton Nara, Shigehara
Plumbing, Takamine Contracting, Hirayama Brothers Electric and
Koehnen's Interiors. We have also enlisted the help of several trade
unions, who have volunteered their services, led by Dean Au, to
convert the warehouse into our new home. This project is truly a
community effort and will save the Food Basket a minimum of
$50,000 a year in rent.
In Kona, the Food Basket is working with Habitat, using CDBG
funds in the Koloko area to again improve our distribution services
in West Hawaii and we will realize some savings in rent.
So, as you can see, we are diligently and creatively working on
making The Food Basket more sustainable.
In conclusion, I am here today to support the ordinance and
resolutions before the Council as it relates to The Food Basket.
Let me assure the Council and the Administration that whatever
money you will appropriate to The Food Basket will be carefully
administered and spent for the good of our mission....to beat hunger
on the island of Hawaii.
Comm.N 0(0. I
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