"Students Turning Leftovers into Hope for the Hungry"

Student Leadership in Food Recovery

Haley Nakamura, a graduate student in nutritional sciences from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, currently takes the lead in organizing volunteer efforts. Every other week, she and her team gather and weigh excess food from the Gateway Cafe and Campus Center Food Court. This food is then delivered to the Institute for Human Services (IHS), making a tangible impact on the lives of those in need.

The importance of their work cannot be overstated. Nearly a third of Hawaii residents face food insecurity, struggling to access the food necessary for a thriving life. Nakamura and her fellow student volunteer, Stacey Keruwa from the East-West Center, recently weighed and delivered 195 pounds of recovered food. This included delicious items like beef brisket, clam chowder, and fresh green salad. The salad was served to IHS guests that very night, while the other items were chilled and reheated for the next day's meals.

Giving Back to the Community

Nakamura emphasizes the significance of their efforts beyond just food recovery and waste prevention. "I think it's really important not just for the recovery of food and prevention of food waste, but also giving back to the community that I grew up in. I think is something that's really cool as well," she said. Their actions are a testament to their sense of community and the desire to make a positive impact.

The group aspires to increase their deliveries but recognizes the need for more student volunteers. Collecting, weighing, and driving the food to IHS requires additional hands. If you're interested in volunteering, you can reach out to Marcie Moribe at Marcie.Moribe@sodexo.com. It's a great opportunity to get involved with the community and contribute to a healthier future by increasing access to food.