UH Hilo student pharmacists collect donations for Thanksgiving food drive

Student pharmacists from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy collected more than 400 food items to donate to Hawaiʻi Island families in need before Thanksgiving this year.

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) collected canned foods and non-perishable food items from faculty, staff and peers November 16-20. The goods were donated to Hilo Salvation Army.

“We traditionally hold a friendly competition among the classes,” said Kaylee Hoang, NCPA Chapter President from the Class of 2019. “The Class of 2020 gave the most food items and will be treated with delicious snacks during finals week. But all of our student pharmacists were winners in servicing the less fortunate and helping the community to ensure that everyone will have a wonderful Thanksgiving.”

NCPA represents America’s community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 22,000 pharmacies. The student organization at UH Hilo has been active since inception in 2009.

“The NCPA Student Chapter prides itself in the development and participation in community service events, which serves as one of its main focus as an organization,” Hoang said. “NCPA continues to connect with our Hawaiʻi community through multiple community service events, and the Thanksgiving food drive is an important one. We cannot wait to do this again next year!”