Feed My Sheep moves Lahaina distribution site
LAHAINA – With help from partners in the community, Feed My Sheep has a new site for its busy Thursday morning food distribution in Lahaina.
The charity now distributes free food in the Republic Parking Northwest Inc. lot at the corner of Wainee and Dickenson streets on Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.
Twelve volunteers and six Feed My Sheep staff last on Nov. 17 worked to register people lined up for food, provide canned and dry goods from a delivery truck, and offer produce from a flatbed truck in the lot across from Maria Lanakila Church.
Families of three or more people received a certificate for a free turkey. Individuals and couples were referred to the Hard Rock Cafe for its free Thanksgiving feast for the needy.
If attendees want a prayer, Feed My Sheep volunteers will pray with them.
Feed My Sheep (FMS) founder Joyce Kawakami said staff and volunteers are trained to treat the needy with a friendly face – and as equals with dignity and respect.
FMS’ Thursday morning food distribution was held at Piilani Elderly Housing Project on Wainee Street.
When the organization needed a new location, Maria Lanakila Catholic Church Pastor Gary Colton linked Kawakami with Will Spielhagen of Republic Parking, a recent Maui arrival who now volunteers with FMS.
“It’s a perfect spot,” Kawakami said. “We are very grateful for the generosity of Maria Lanakila Catholic Church and Republic Parking.
“Over the years Piilani Elderly Housing was a great place, but in these tough economic times, we have outgrown the facility’s small parking lot.”
Maria Lanakila Church owns the lot, and Republic Parking leases the land from the church.
A mobile food distribution program, FMS 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 its Lahaina service, FMS distributes food at Lahaina Christian Fellowship at 4275 Hine Way in Kahana from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays. For information, call 872-9100.