WEST MAUI — Feed My Sheep returned to the West Side on Aug. 4.

Its Thursday morning distribution resumed at Piilani Elderly Housing Project at 1028 Wainee St. in Lahaina Town from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Thursday afternoon distribution has been relocated to the parking lot of Lahaina Christian Fellowship at 4275 Hine Way in Kahana from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Due to dwindling resources in this bad economy, Feed My Sheep had to stop its food distribution service in Lahaina and Honokowai. 

When Ralph Albrecht read about Feed My Sheep’s situation in the Lahaina News, he took action. The Bendon Family Foundation, Kumulani Chapel and Calvary Chapel West Side all came to Feed My Sheep’s rescue and made it possible for the charity to resume the service of needed groceries to 450 needy individuals who live on the West Side of Maui.

Joyce Kawakami, the founder, full-time volunteer and CEO of Feed My Sheep, said, “To maintain this vital work and keep the people of Maui fed, it is imperative that food and monetary contributions continue to come in, as well as grow, as the numbers of those needing food subsistence has grown. 

“In recent months, the number of people needing help has increased, and food lines are long. In 2010, Feed My Sheep gave food to over 9,500 unduplicated individuals. Recently, they are experiencing an increase of about 50 new families each week.”

Feed My Sheep, a mobile food distribution program, drives trucks into neighborhoods where poverty exists to feed the hungry. The organization passes out bags of groceries to anyone who needs help. 

In addition to food, the organization also provides emotional support, offering a listening ear and prayer, so that those they assist can receive help without judgment and experience love in their time of need.

For information, call Feed My Sheep at 872-9100, e-mail

joyce@feedmysheepmaui.com‘>joyce@feedmysheepmaui.com or visit feedmysheepmaui.com/‘>feedmysheepmaui.com/. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 847, Puunene, HI 96784.