#joyce kawakami

In August 1999 youth leader Joyce Kawakami accidentally founded a food program when she noticed some of her students were hungry and had no food at home. Despite sneaking groceries to these students to protect their privacy, they shared this act of kindness with other families in need who began coming for help also. Weekly food distributions became a regular part of life for the Kawakami family. Over 25 years Feed My Sheep grew from feeding six families to 350 families every week. 

The nonprofit Feed My Sheep organization has stepped up during the aftermath of Maui’s wildfires to provide food for those experiencing unexpected need. While the organization was already mobilized to serve households at or near the poverty line, the service extended its reach to those displaced by the Maui fires.

The Maui County Farm Bureau honored Kai Pelayo, the community affairs manager with Bayer-Maui, as its Member of the Year for 2022.

Among the winners were: Heidi Watanabe, Feed My Sheep, Mitzi Toro, Angela Leone, and Ryan Ouye.

Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos has donated stock valued at over $500,000 to Feed My Sheep, a mobile food pantry serving Maui island-wide.

Feed My Sheep will begin selling fresh Upcountry produce at two West Maui locations, with items offered at a 75% discount for those who qualify financially.