Hawaiian Airlines pilots recently made a significant contribution to the Hawaii Food Bank. The pilots' union delivered about 3,475 pounds of canned goods and other food items to the Hawaii Food Bank, along with a check for $1,595.The pilot' union, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), collected food items and money during a two-week food drive that began April 16, 2009. The donated food included individual items brought to collection centers by local pilots, as well as a truckload of bulk food purchased for the food bank by ALPA.
“In tough times like these, we are all one ohana when it comes to taking care of each other,” said Hawaiian Master Executive Council (MEC) Chairman Capt. Eric Sampson. “We are proud of our pilots for stepping up to help their neighbors, and pleased ALPA was able to assist the food bank in its important mission of serving Hawaii’s hungry.”
Sampson said the pilots had hoped to donate at least 1,200 pounds of food, but they more than doubled that goal, winding up almost 3,500 pounds of groceries to give to the Hawaii Food Bank. The cash donation included $595 contributed by individual pilots and a $1,000 donation from the Hawaiian MEC’s special projects fund.
In 2007 the Hawaiian MEC created a fund for special projects, including philanthropic purposes throughout the islands. The first major gift from the fund was a $5,000 donation for children’s cancer research in 2008. The food bank delivery is the first major donation in 2009 for the fund, which is organized and supported by the pilots and is not affiliated with Hawaiian Airlines.
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