‘Together, we can make sure no child goes hungry’: Mālama Kaua‘i Kaukau 4 Keiki program starts June 1

Summer should be a time of fun, exploration and full bellies. Unfortunately for many families on Kaua‘i, however, the loss of school meals during the summer break can make it harder to keep nutritious food on the table.

That’s why Mālama Kaua‘i offers Kaukau 4 Keiki, its summer food box program that provides local, fresh food to families with children through a partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture and Hawai‘i Child Nutrition Programs.

Each box is filled with fresh local produce and staples sourced from island farmers as well as pantry basics, helping keiki stay healthy while also supporting Kaua‘i’s local food producers.

Mālama Kaua‘i is now accepting applications for Kaukau 4 Keiki participants.

Keiki ages 1 to 18 years old — or up to 22 years old if they are in a Hawai‘i Department of Education special education program — are eligible.

‘Ohana without enough food are the program’s priority.

Those families who live in non-area-eligible towns will need to submit a copy of their official letter from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP and still commonly referred to as food stamps, or free/reduced meal approval letter from school to qualify for the program.

Documentation should be submitted to kaukau@malamakauai.org before those families can be accepted into the program.

Families can apply online to receive 9 weeks of summer food boxes from June 1 to July 27.

“This program is truly powered by community,” wrote Mālama Kaua‘i Executive Director Megan Fox in an email detailing the Kaukau 4 Keiki program. “Volunteers help pack and distribute boxes, donors help us reach more families and local farmers help fill each box with the best our island has to offer.”

Food is distributed at multiple pickup points around the island facilitated by partner host sites.

Mālama Kaua‘i continues to grow and expand the reach of Kaukau 4 Keiki and is seeking nonprofit partners interested in hosting distribution sites for this year’s program.

Partners must have availability on Monday afternoons throughout the duration of the meal box distribution and commit to the entire program. Time commitment is about 2 to 3 hours each week.

The organization is looking to add on more partner sites this year to ensure that the program is as accessible as possible to island families who are transportation restrained.

Areas it is looking to expand with more sites include the North Shore region, which includes communities of Kīlauea/Hanalei, Kapa‘a, Wailuā, Līhu‘e, Puhi, Hanapepe/‘Ele‘ele, Kōloa and Kekaha.

Partner sites should have:

• One to two dedicated representatives responsible for the site following program procedures and policies, ensuring compliance, handling paperwork submissions and training/overseeing volunteers as needed.
• A large capacity vehicle, such as a van, to pick up boxes from the Līhu‘e hub and bring to their site for distribution to approved and enrolled ‘ohana. (If transportation isn’t an option, boxes might be able to be transported for them.)
• An accessible distribution site with access to bathrooms/hand-washing and enough area for a drive-through style pickup by parents (or it might be able to be placed at a school or community center location).

A small weekly stipend is paid to partners who can transport and distribute to help cover expenses related to fuel and staff time to pick up the boxes.

Anyone interested in hosting a site should email kaukau@malamakauai.org.

Mālama Kaua‘i also is seeking vendors for this year’s Kaukau 4 Keiki program.

Items needed include:

• Loaves of bread.
• Granola.
• Fruit.
• Veggies.
• Condiments.

Vendors interested in helping this year should respond to the organization’s request for proposals by March 20. The request can be found at the Mālama Kaua‘i website.

Questions can be directed to malie@malamakauai.org.

Volunteers also are needed for this summer, plus there are paid summer positions open.

Click here to sign up to volunteer. You can also check online to see the available paid positions.

“If you’d like to be part of this effort — whether by volunteering, donating or helping spread the word — we’d love to have you join us,” wrote Fox in her email. “When our community comes together, we can nourish our keiki and strengthen Kaua‘i’s local food system at the same time.”

Visit the Mālama Kaua‘i website for additional information.

“Together, we can make sure no child goes hungry during the summer months,” Fox wrote.