The ʻOhana Produce Plus Food Distribution provided food for 220 households. (Photo by Vasilisa Nesterenko)

By Vasilisa Nesterenko | Staff Writer

On Oct. 10, the ʻOhana Produce Plus Food Distribution took place at Kapiʻolani Community College, offering students a chance to receive fresh food supplies provided by the Hawaiʻi Foodbank. The drive-through event ran from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Parking Lot B. It was coordinated by volunteers who directed traffic, loaded food into vehicles, and ensured a smooth distribution process. Participants could register easily online through a Google form.  

Justin Toombs, KCC’s HINET coordinator, who served as a site leader for the event , shared more about its scale. According to him, 220 households signed up for food pickup that Friday, while the usual number is closer to 300. He also noted that the Food Pantry included nine pallets of food, each “as tall as a person.” 

A team of over 50 volunteers played a crucial role in making the food distribution possible.

“I’m here to support the community … so I can sleep peacefully at night, knowing that I helped some people,” said JJ, a KCC student.

The volunteers coordinated traffic, handled food, placed supplies into boxes, and loaded the boxes into car trunks. To ensure safety at the event, volunteers were equipped with gloves and reflective vests. In addition, each volunteer completed a short safety and logistics training led by the event organizers.

The next food distribution is planned for the Spring 2026 semester. The exact date of the event will be announced on the KCC website. In addition to the food pantry, there are other forms of support available to KCC students through the Pohukiana Food Pantry. The Produce Food Walk-In is available to students every Thursday, Toombs said. Students who qualify for SNAP benefits also have access to free textbooks, gas money, internet assistance, and bus passes. A full list of Kapiʻolani’s Basic Needs Resources is available on the University of Hawaiʻi website.