Thousands of people in West Maui received bad news this month.

If Feed My Sheep doesn’t receive donations of food and money, it can’t continue its free food distribution program for needy residents on the West Side.

Every Thursday, the nonprofit organization brought food to some 200 families weekly at Piilani Housing in Lahaina and Honokowai Kauhale.

Supplies ran dry last week.

Volunteer Lola Ledbetter explained that Feed My Sheep serves a vital need in the community.

“It would be such a shame if West Maui residents were no longer able to receive this food each week,” she noted.

Founded by Joyce Kawakami, Feed My Sheep reaches out to the needy.

“We are a mobile food distribution program that drives trucks into neighborhoods of need. While there, we pass out bags of groceries to anyone who needs our help,” Kawakami stated on the group’s website.

“We give the equivalent of 140,000 half-pound meals monthly. We not only give food, we give emotional support by offering a listening ear and prayer, so that they can experience love and not judgment in their time of need.”

Thousands of West Maui residents rely on Feed My Sheep. Don’t let this valuable program vanish.

For information, call Feed My Sheep at 872-9100, e-mail joyce@feedmysheepmaui.com or visit feedmysheepmaui.com/. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 847, Puunene, HI 96784.