Each fall the Island Pacific Academy ohana–our students, faculty and staff, and families–rally together to collect non-perishable food in support of the Hawaii Food Bank: IPA’s 2015 Food Drive will run from November 2 through 24 with the goal of collecting 10,000 pounds of canned foods. The school total in pounds has come close to 9,000 pounds twice in its food drive history. This year IPA hopes to reach and exceed the 10,000 pound goal by inviting businesses in the community surrounding the campus to have collection boxes in their stores and offices.
“We visited many of the nearby businesses and asked if our students could leave a food bank collection box there,” explains Nydia Santiago-Cordero, Secondary Student Activities Coodinator. “Our high school students will be responsible for collecting, weighing, and repacking any of the canned food donations from these businesses as well as from the collection boxes around campus.”
“Nearby business owners were so receptive to the idea of being part of our food drive,” says Steve Ross, Elementary division Principal, who is co-chairing IPA’s food drive with Cordero. “One business, Great Clips, is even going to offer an in-store promotion to anyone who donates canned food there. So it helps IPA’s food drive, her business, and then the community at large. We’ll all be working together to help the Hawaii Food Bank replenish its food reserves as the holiday season approaches.”
Within the school, fun participation incentives will be awarded depending on the amount collected. “In Elementary, there is a goal of 2o pounds per student. If a classroom makes that goal, they’ll have a pizza party,” says Ross.
Details about incentives for the Secondary grades are still being set according to Cordero. “Students can earn community service hours by helping to weigh cans and calculate points for grades and pu’uhonuas,” she says. “When we reach 10,000 pounds, we will have an all-school ice cream celebration.”
Donations to IPA’s Food Drive may be brought to either school office or to one of the local businesses with an IPA food drive collection box. If a student wants a donation to count toward a class or grade total, they should follow their classroom or pu’uhonua teacher’s instructions on where to bring their canned goods.
Here is a list of local businesses and organizations with IPA Food Drive collection boxes:
- Kapolei Domino’s Pizza (Store #1803, Kapolei Parkway)
- K Nails Salon
- Kapolei Pet Hospital
- West Oahu Vet Center
- Cupcake and Things
- Great Clips Kapolei Village Center
- My Cafe in Kapolei
- Complete Dermatology
- Aloha Nani Baptist Church (meets at IPA)
- Journey Church (meets at IPA)
- St. Nicolas Church (meets at IPA)
(Local businesses that would like to help IPA’s Food Drive by having a collection box in their office or establishment, please contact Bernadette Axelrod, Director of Advancement, [email protected].)
The last day of collection will be the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Please contact Steve Ross (email [email protected]) if you have a truck or large vehicle and would like to help transport the collected food donation to the Hawaii Food Bank on that day.
