The Hawaii Police Department's Kona Community Policing Section is once again joining forces with Kona Costco, the Food Basket, and KAPA Radio's Tommy Ching to hold the fourth annual Fill A Cruiser Food Drive. The event is scheduled to take place on August 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kona Costco parking lot, as per Hawaii Police Department released yesterday.
During the drive, members of the community are welcome to come and literally fill a police cruiser with nonperishable food items. Participants will also get the chance to snap a photo with the officers, an element of human connection in the service of hunger alleviation. The initiative, which was born out of the necessity to aid those in crisis during the COVID-19 lockdowns, has continued to grow to meet the sustained demand for food assistance on Hawai‘i Island.
All donations from the drive will go directly to the Food Basket, which is Hawai‘i Island's dedicated food bank. According to the Hawaii Police Department's statement, "This event provides an easy and excellent opportunity for residents to support their local community by donating essential items." The Food Basket has been instrumental in distributing these much-needed supplies to impacted families and individuals across the island.
Historically, the Fill A Cruiser Food Drive has been a substantial source of contributions, collecting more than 9,270 pounds of food and over $10,957 in monetary donations in the past three years alone. These resources have remained within the local island community, directly aiding those neighbors most in need. The Hawaii Police Department encourages community members to once again show their support and to help make a significant impact on local lives. For those looking for additional information or interested in engaging with the food drive beyond mere participation, Kona Community Policing Officer Dwayne Sluss can be contacted at (808) 326-4646, ext. 259, or through email at [email protected].
