Golden State Foods’ local subsidiary Quality Custom Distribution, headquartered in Waipio with baseyards on the Neighbor Islands, is staffed by 90 statewide associates who help contribute toward the GSF Foundation. The nationwide foundation was established in 2002 “to improve the quality of life of children and families in need,” its mission states.
Carl Guhl, regional distribution manager for GSF and QCD in Hawai’i, has served in different roles with GSF — both in the Islands and on the Mainland — for more than 37 years. He has volunteered with the GSF Foundation for more than 22 years and currently serves on its local committee as treasurer.
“We started the foundation around the first year I got here,” Guhl told Aloha State Daily. “It has grown from around one-to-two events a year to now six-to-seven. The larger focus is on food; we hold canned food drives, volunteer our time and provide donations to food banks across the Islands.”
To date, GSF Foundation’s nationwide Focus on Food program “has provided the equivalent of 4.35 million meals to food-insecure families,” officials said. Locally, the GSF Foundation has donated a total of $10,000, or the equivalent of 35,200 meals provided statewide. Local donations are matched by the national GSF Foundation, Guhl said.
He noted that GSF Foundation is an associate-run-and-funded nonprofit organization.
“We have a campaign every year, so associates help fund a part of the foundation,” Guhl said. “They can opt-in to donate directly from their paychecks.”
“Without our associates, this foundation wouldn’t be funded. I thank them for the time and treasure they give,” he continued. “We’re not a big facility, but we’re strong and mighty and we are making a big impact in our community.”
During the aftermath of the 2023 Lahaina fire, the QCD/GSF Hawai’i team redirected perishable food items and donated pallets of clothing, toiletries and non-perishable foods to Maui, while maintaining operations for clients McDonald’s and Starbucks, the company reported at the time. The GSF Foundation also made a $1,600 grant to support Maui Food Bank.
“We were holding something weekly for the Lahaina community since last year and have continued this year on a quarterly basis,” Guhl told ASD.
GSF Foundation’s other yearly initiatives include a backpack drive, Helping Hands Hawaiʻi’s Adopt-a-Family program providing gifts to families during the holidays, nonprofit fundraisers with Ronald McDonald House Charities Hawai’i, among others, and Family Programs Hawaiʻi’s Project Visitation, in which the foundation sponsors a whole day event for foster children to meet up with their brother and sisters on a quarterly basis.
“Project Visitation is my favorite. I can’t imagine living without my brother,” he said. "What I love about the foundation is that you can take national programs and run with them locally. But then locally, we can also be innovative and dream up something new through partnership. That’s how Project Visitation came about.”
Hawaiʻi GSF Foundation Chair Amy McAngus told ASD that the foundation has 33 locations across the country.
“Many of those associates contributed to the Maui wildfires,” she said. “It’s not only our community, but a backing from other associates nationally.”
McAngus said one of her favorite moments was with "adopting a family in Waiʻanae" and making the drop-off herself. “We found a grandma and two little children living in a school bus. Just to help them out and see the smiles on their faces was worth everything.”
When asked about the company culture at QCD/GSF Hawai’i, she said, “I think the foundation is the creed of our company. It has to do with the dignity of all people. The foundation is an extension of that.”
Guhl added, “Whatʻs kept me at Golden State Foods for 37 years is its great customers, the people who work here and that management has the same values that I share.”
For more information, visit gsffoundation.org. Interested in partnering locally? Email cguhl@goldenstatefoods.com.
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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
