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Energy Savings for Food Banks
Energy Savings for Food Banks
By Allison Young
Kaua‘i residents are fortunate to have two food banks on island helping residents struggling with food insecurity. Hawai‘i Food Bank – Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank are nonprofit organizations that distribute food year-round and in the event of a disaster. The food banks recently partnered with KIUC to help reduce their expenses.
KIUC’s Energy Services team, along with official trade ally Ichikawa Lighting, upgrade old lighting in buildings to high-efficiency energy equipment and light bulbs as part of the commercial retrofit program. These upgrades lower monthly electricity bills while saving energy. These services are available to any KIUC’s commercial member—nonprofits and businesses.
“Lighting makes up about 17% of a member’s bill,” Commercial Energy Services Representative Kyle Cremer says. “Replacing older light fixtures with energy-efficient LED bulbs can really reduce electricity costs.”
Kyle visited each food bank for a free initial assessment. At the visit, he inspected every light source and made a recommendation, taking into consideration total wattage, color temperature and installation requirements. After Ichikawa Lighting delivered the new bulbs, the food banks used their own hired electricians for installation.
HFBK installed new lighting in its Puhi warehouse, and KIFB installed new lighting in its Nāwiliwili warehouse.
“Hawaii Foodbank - Kauai is grateful to be a recipient of KIUC’s retrofit lighting program, which upgraded our facility to energy-efficient lighting,” Kauai Director of HFBK Wes Perriera says. “This change not only brightens our warehouse and improves safety for staff and volunteers, but also creates meaningful cost savings—funds that can now be directed toward feeding keiki, kupuna and families across our island.”
KIFB Executive Director Kelvin Moniz recognizes the benefits as well.
“In addition to cost savings, we now have a well-lit, safer work environment for our employees and volunteers who frequently join us for service, helping our staff feed those in need on Kaua’i,” he says. “We would like to send our warmest mahalo nui to KIUC for assisting us in our mission: ‘To educate, provide nutritious food for the hungry, and respond to emergencies.’”
KIUC is pleased to help these much-needed organizations behind the scenes by reducing their electricity costs. These savings mean the food banks have more resources to meet the needs of families on Kaua‘i so no one goes hungry.
For more information about our commercial energy services, visit kiuc.coop/commercial-programs.
Feeding Families on Kauaʻi
If you are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table, there is help available. The workers at the local foodbanks are people just like you. They understand the cost of living is high, and anyone can fall on hard times.
Food banks partner with community groups to distribute food to residents of all ages. There is an urgent need for more support for our local food banks. To donate or volunteer, contact:
Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi
808.482.2224
Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank
808.278.6116
