Skip Navigation
  • Health Plans
  • Health & Wellness
  • Online Care
  • Customer Service
  • My Account

News Release

November 22, 2011
It's a BIG Thanksgiving Donation!

Moani Wright-Van Alst
(808) 952-7566

Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA) employees today donated $18,805 and 2,752.8 pounds of canned goods and other nonperishable items in its annual holiday food drive to help alleviate hunger during the holidays. Contributions from HMSA employees will provide 49,180 meals, according to the Foodbank.

Teams of HMSA employees on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island challenged each other to collect as many pounds of food and as much money as possible over a four-week period. The team with the largest donation overall wins bragging rights and a lunch tailgate party.

“We sincerely appreciate the goodwill of HMSA’s employees on Oahu and the Neighbor Islands who gave so generously from the heart during this year’s food drive,” said Dick Grimm, Hawaii Foodbank president. “The need is even greater now than in years past with one in seven people in Hawaii who need emergency food. HMSA’s donation will help provide meals to feed children, seniors, and low-income families during the holidays.”

Hunger in Hawaii has increased nearly 40 percent in the past few years, and the Hawaii Foodbank now feeds 14 percent of the state’s population. The current supply of food in the warehouse will last only 15 days. With today’s donations, the Foodbank will be able to keep the shelves stocked longer.

“The holidays are alwajhnys more joyful when we share the spirit of the season with families, friends, and neighbors,” said Elisa Yadao, HMSA vice president of Community Affairs, Marketing, and Communications. “Our annual employee food drive is one of our favorite holiday traditions, and we’re certainly thankful for our many employees who contributed in the true spirit of aloha.”

Hawaii Foodbank, Inc.

The Hawaii Foodbank has served the people of Hawaii for 28 years. It is the only nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency on Oahu that collects, warehouses, and distributes mass quantities of perishable and nonperishable food to 250 charitable agencies on Oahu. Last year, the Hawaii Foodbank distributed more than 11.8 million pounds of food, including 3 million pounds of fresh produce, to help feed 183,500 people in need statewide.

About HMSA

HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

####

Links

    Related Links