MEDIA RELEASE
The Food Basket, Inc. (also known as Hawaii Island’s Food Bank) has appointed En Young to be the new executive director for the agency.
Young will oversee operations, agency relations, and development for The Food Basket islandwide.
“We would like to thank all of our community partners for your generous support and patience throughout this transition. We are fully confident that once we acclimate to our new facilities and leadership that these will translate into improved services to our partner agencies, neighbors, and friends” Young said.
He succeeds Dr. Nani Lee following her retirement in November 2012.
Young is returning to the Big Island, where he was born and raised, having previously served as the contract, performance, and evaluation administrator for the state Office of Community Services.
In this capacity he oversaw a variety of State and Federally-funded programs designed to alleviate poverty, including supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Food Program and the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program.
Roland Higashi, Chairman of the Board, added “We here at the Food Basket are looking forward to working with someone who has the experience and qualifications of Mr. Young. Our collective vision is to provide better, more efficient services on the island and improve our ability to alleviate hunger. The addition of En and a few new Board members to our team is very exciting and will bring global perspective as well as assist us with innovative program development.”
The Food Basket, Inc, is a 501(c) 3 non-profit that manages an island-wide, supplemental food network that collects and distributes nutritious, high quality food to low income households, the working poor, the disabled, the ill, senior citizens, and children.
The Food Basket serves communities throughout Hawaii island, including difficult to serve areas such as Hawi and Ocean View, through a blend of publicly and privately-funded programming.
In 2012, the Food Basket collected, stored, and delivered more than 1,067,000 pounds of dry goods, frozen meats and cheeses, fresh produce, canned fruits, vegetables, meats, and prepared meals to more than 146,000 individuals and families on the Big Island. This food supports local emergency food pantries, hot
meal soup kitchens, seniors in need, schools, and other businesses, non-profits, and individuals in the community wishing to help the Food Basket alleviate hunger in Hawaii County.
For more information, call The Food Basket at 933-6030.
