Resorts collect donations for Holiday Food Bank Challenge

The Lahaina Baptist Choir sang at the Holiday Aloha event at Lahaina Gateway on Dec 19. After the choir sang holiday and spiritual songs, 23 people won center gift certificates in holiday prize drawings.
KAANAPALI — Kaanapali Beach Resort Association (KBRA) members once again displayed tremendous holiday spirit and generosity in the second annual Holiday Food Bank Challenge to benefit the depleted Maui Food Bank.
The resort-wide challenge took place between Oct. 26 and Dec. 11, with members collecting 13,110 pounds of food and $5,788.
Kaanapali Golf Resort won with a whopping $30.98 per employee, followed by UFO Parasail with $15.38 per employee and the Marriott Maui Ocean Club with $10.30.
Using KBRA’s formula of $1 equaling one pound of food, the total contribution is valued at $18,898.
“We’re so fortunate to have the Kaanapali Beach Resort Association looking out for us during this critical time,” said Marlene Rice, development director for the Maui Food Bank.
“KBRA’s food challenge efforts will provide hunger relief to over 10,000 people who are at risk of going hungry during this holiday season. Our mahalo goes out to everyone in Kaanapali for the generosity they have extended to the Maui Food Bank.”
KBRA participants this year were the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. Whaler on Kaanapali Beach, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Royal Lahaina Resort, Maui Kaanapali Villas, Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, Leilani’s on the Beach, Kaanapali Golf Resort and UFO Parasail.
“I’m filled with pride by the charitable giving displayed by our resort ‘ohana,” commented Shelley Kekuna, KBRA executive director.
“Everyone is so busy during the holidays, but KBRA members are never too busy to heed a call to help the less fortunate.”