Catholic Hawaii

The Office for Social Ministry
Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu

What is the Hawaii Island Food Bank?

We are non-profit organization that gathers, stores, and redistributes surplus and salvaged food and non-food items to over 130 member agencies that feed the hungry of Hawaii County.

In 1996 alone, the Hawaii Island Food Bank distributed 1.3 million pounds of food that otherwise would have been sent to landfills. Since 1989, over 7.8 million pounds of food have been distributed to the hungry through dedicated member agencies.

Where does my donation go??

The Hawaii Island Food Bank distributes food to approved, non-profit agencies that serve those in need. Agencies may not sell the food or charge for meals. Some of the organizations helping to feed the hungry of the Big Island include:

• Food pantries
• Hot meal programs
• Elderly housing projects
• After-school programs
• Emergency shelters Day care centers

Your donation will ensure that those who hunger will continue to receive the most basic of needs, food.

Your Legitimate Tax Write-off

The 1976 Federal Tax law permits you substantial tax benefits for specialized donations (Section 179, e.3. clauses i and ii). For example:

The Hawaii Island Food Bank will provide you with a receipt for the items donated by your company to assist you in claiming your legitimate tax write-oft. All donors are advised to consult with their tax advisers in applying the appropriate deduction.

What products does Hawai Island Food Bank accept?

Food and non-food items like:

• Canned meats
• Fresh/frozen meats
• Dairy products
• Grocery/food items
• Chilled & frozen foods
• Canned/frozen fruits and vegetables
• Fresh produce
• Canned/frozen/bottled beverages
• Detergents
• Paper goods
• Health & beauty care products

The Hawaii Island Food Bank cannot accept the following items:

• Homemade foods
• Home canned foods
• Any opened or partially used food items
• Alcoholic beverages

"Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act" protects food donors

In October 1996, in order to encourage companies to donate their unsaleable goods to non-profit organizations that serve the needy, Congress passed into law H.R. 2428, the U.S. Representative "Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act." The Good Samaritan Act protects you as a donor from any liability except in cases where the damages are a result of gross negligence or wanton acts or omission on the donor's part.

10 Good Reasons why your company should be donating to the Hawaii Food Bank

1. The Hawaii Island Food Bank can save your company money by providing you with special tax deductions and benefits.
2. The Hawaii Island Food Bank protects you under the "Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act" that limits your liability on any product you donate.
3. The Hawaii Island Food Bank saves your company hauling costs, because we will pick up the items you donate.
4. The Hawaii Island Food Bank saves your company's valuable warehouse space by removing unmarketable goods, clearing the way for profitable inventory.
5. The Hawaii Island Food Bank can legally distribute dated items after the printed expiration date, versus wasteful dumping of wholesome products.
6. The Hawaii Island Food Bank helps to eliminate health and safety problems from your warehouse by removing damaged or expiration dated items.
7. The Hawaii Island Food Bank saves your employees' time by providing you with documentation on the amount of donated product.
8. The Hawaii Island Food Bank is the most efficient way to distribute your unsaleable product to those who are really in need of your product and by donating, you will not adversely affect your own business.
9. The Hawaii Island Food Bank serves all the hungry people of the Big Island, not just one segment or group of needy individuals.
10. By donating to the Hawaii Island Food Bank, you and your employees will be helping to feed our neighbors in need.

To contact us

140-B Holomua Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 935-3050
Fax: (808) 935-3794

P.O. Box 21250
Kealakekua, HI 9675
Phone: (808) 322-1418
Fax (808) 322-3812

E-Mail: hicsm@gte.net

The Hawaii Island Food Bank is a project of Hawaii Island Catholic Social Ministry (HICSM) of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii. It is affiliated with the Honolulu-based Hawaii Foodbank; is associated with Second Harvest, the national food bank network; and is a United Way Agency.

(Portions of this information were reprinted with permission of the Hawaii Foodbank).