Ridge Realty/Rentals LLC is reaching out to the many visitors coming to West Maui this holiday season.

The company launched its “You Don’t Have to Throw Food Away After Your Stay” campaign last week Friday.

The project is being held in conjunction with Maui Food Bank’s “Hunger Never Takes a Holiday” ongoing food drive that runs through Jan. 31, 2012.

Sisters Terry Nowell Craven and Diane Nowell Loughland encourage departing Honokowai, Napili and Kapalua vacation renters to donate unused food items to Maui Food Bank, instead of throwing them away.

“We know departing visitors will show appreciation for the people of Maui by donating what they can,” said Loughland.

Craven added, “Diane and I are both grandmothers and want to do all we can to make sure no one’s little grandchildren will go hungry this holiday season.”

Departing visitors can donate canned soup, fruit, vegetables, rice, cereal and pasta as they drive to the airport from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, at Suite 110-A at Napili Plaza.

Visitors can call 669-9696 in advance, and the sisters will come out to the lot to pick up the food items.

Craven noted that hundreds of vacation renters pass by their Napili Plaza office weekly. She hopes the food drive will tap into the generosity of Maui visitors with leftover canned items.

Maui families have been hit hard by the recession and need one of life’s basic needs: food.

According to the Maui Food Bank, “Someone you know is struggling with hunger. More families and individuals living in Maui County are being affected by the recession and the current rise in unemployment.

“The Maui Food Bank is reaching out to those newly affected by hunger through over 100 partner agencies and programs. It will take our entire island ‘ohana working together to solve the hunger problem we are facing in Maui County.”

Don’t let your food go to waste! Needy Maui residents will appreciate your generosity.