This volunteer hates food waste and loves giving back to the local community

Sally Chow says volunteering is her second job. “The first is my real job in IT to make money to survive living in Hawaiʻi,” she laughed. 

Chow, who has lived in the Islands for more than 30 years and currently resides in Kaimkukī, has served in various capacities at Aloha Harvest, a nonprofit that collects and redistributes food “to nourish and strengthen our community on Oʻahu,” its website notes.

“The need is always there and we definitely need more people to help,” said Chow, who has served with the organization for several years, helping to deliver excess food from restaurants, hotels and events to churches and shelters, among other recipient agencies.

“When they see me bringing the food, they’re really happy and their face lights up with a smile. That part of the work is really rewarding.”

“I hate to see food wasted, like at my kids’ schools during lunch and even within the film industry,” she added. “Another role I play is helping start the conversation and connecting potential donors with the organization."

She was named Volunteer of the Month in June 2023, serving 90 times within a year’s time and assisting “with film set food rescues and consistently [picking] up unsold daily baked goods from Surfers Bakery at Ala Moana Center and [delivering it to nearby partners helping the homeless,” according to Instagram.

Check out these videos sharing a day-in-the-life of other Aloha Harvest volunteers.

When asked what advice she’d give to others looking to give back, Chow said, “Everybody can get involved. It doesn’t take much skill or time to do something from your heart for somebody else.”

Beyond her service work at Aloha Harvest, Chow has also volunteered with Scouting America, Aloha Council, Hawai’i Foodbank, Meals on Wheels, and for fundraising events with The American Heart Association, The Sony Open and more. 

“After my two kids were done with Boy Scouts and their service projects, I continued doing it. It just become part of who I am."

Aloha Harvest’s overall impact

• Nearly 39 million pounds of food has been rescued since the nonprofit was established in 1999. That translates to more than $162 million of food rescued.
• Nearly $25 million in meals have been distributed.
• Nearly 6,000 average pounds rescued per day.
• 135 average donors per month
• More than 100 average recipient agencies per month

SOURCE: alohaharvest.org

Here is more volunteer information from Aloha Harvest’s most recent quarterly report:

For more information or if interested in volunteering, visit aloharvest.org.

CONTACT
Aloha Harvest
Mele Pepa Latu, executive director
Address: 3599 Wai‘alae Ave, Ste. 23, Honolulu
Phone: 808-537-6945
Email: info@alohaharvest.org
Website: aloharvest.org
Instagram and Facebook: @alohaharvest

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.