Farm bureau nets $15,000

The Maui County Farm Bureau received $15,000 from First Hawaiian Bank’s Aloha for Hawaii campaign and is using the funds for a produce purchase-distribution program.

The bureau’s Food Product Purchase Program is an initiative to purchase produce from local farms and distribute the produce to those in the community affected by the pandemic. The program has purchased and distributed 678,954 pounds of food to date and works with 22 Maui farms.

“This is truly one of the most difficult times to be farming,” said Teena Rasmussen, board president, Maui County Farm Bureau. “This gesture has been a morale boost to our farmers who have continued to plant to feed our community. Donations like this keep our farmers in business.”

Child and Family Service received $25,000 to provide services to families in need during the pandemic. The gift also will contribute to the production of Ho‘o Wala‘au playing cards, which are distributed to each family at Festival of Hope events and contain questions for children and parents that help encourage family bonding, relationship growth and understanding.

The “Aloha for Hawaii” initiative, established as a special program to support local restaurants while providing funds to nonprofit organizations that support those most at risk during this time, generated one million restaurant takeout or delivery orders and in turn donated $1 million to nonprofits. Restaurant takeout or delivery purchases made by First Hawaiian credit or debit card customers were counted for the campaign.