Question: How does the food bank distribute its products? I have a friend whose daughter lives in a court-appointed group home in Kaneohe where she pays monthly rent, which I assume includes room and board. My friend’s daughter gets a stipend from welfare, but also gets lots of fresh produce from the food bank. Why is all that food going to a single woman in a group home? Some hard-working families cannot afford food, but my friend’s daughter gets it free.

Answer: There must be some miscommunication or misinformation as to where she is getting the food.

We’re assuming you are referring to the Hawaii Foodbank on Oahu, but all the food banks operating in the state say they do not distribute directly to individuals.

Instead, they give the food to nonprofit agencies that provide services to people in need.

The Hawaii Foodbank currently partners with 250 member agencies, each serving a different segment of the population, including the unemployed; children; elderly; disabled, including war veterans; domestic violence victims; and drug or alcohol addicts, said spokeswoman Lori Kaya.

The Foodbank collects or purchases the food, then distributes it to the agencies, which determine who receives the food and how it’s distributed, she said.

"Each agency has different criteria or guidelines they follow on who qualifies for food," Kaya said.

All member agencies are required to provide the food or meals for free. The Foodbank also distributes fresh fruit and vegetables to 21 communities through its Oahu Produce Plus Program.

"Again, we provide the food to the host agency, who organizes the distribution and determines who is eligible for food."

You can find out more about food banks and food pantries on the Aloha United Way website, which has a database of more than 4,000 government and nonprofit services and programs that offer help to people in need.

Go to www.auw211.org or call 211.

Question: Regarding Aloha Stadium and its recycling policy (Kokua Line, Oct. 27): What about containers that are tossed in trash cans? Are those recycled?

Answer: As much as possible.

"Even though the job is unpleasant and labor-intense, our staff makes every effort to separate the bottle and cans from the regular waste," an Aloha Stadium spokesman said. "But please understand that we can’t guarantee every container gets recycled."

MAHALO

To a good Samaritan. Even in a contentious political season, the Aloha Spirit is still alive and well in my Manoa-Moiliili-McCully district. On Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the intersection of East Manoa Road and Oahu Avenue, my poor campaign sign-wavers were inundated by a heavy shower. One who lacked an umbrella or jacket was being drenched when someone in a passing white sedan tossed an umbrella so that he would not be further soaked. We do not know who perpetrated this random act of kindness, but we were all greatly touched and appreciative. If this person would like his or her umbrella back (it looks new), please give me a call at 947-4618. — State Sen. Brian Taniguchi

MAHALO

To University of Hawaii Athletic Director Jim Donovan, Aloha Stadium Manager Scott Chan and his maintenance and security people, plus Honolulu police officers who came to my rescue when my car battery died after the UH-Nevada football game. They all went above and beyond the call of duty. — Lila Keiter, Kailua

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Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or e-mail kokualine@staradvertiser.com.