Inspired By Stitch, Dole Has Announced Its First “Spirit of ‘Ohana Award” Winner
Inspired by the release of Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, the Dole Food Company has announced its inaugural Spirit of ‘Ohana Award recipient.
As part of the Dole x Stitch “Spirit of ‘Ohana” campaign, Dole invites everyone to embrace the spirit of togetherness, optimism, and tropical fun. Through special recipes, family-friendly activities, and exciting surprises, the company wants customers to experience the magic of connections in their own way.
Photo: Dole
Additionally, the Spirit of ‘Ohana initiative offers healthy-eating and community service suggestions inspired by Stitch!
Introducing Evan Ehlers and Sharing Excess
Today, Dole Food Company recognized Evan Ehlers, founder of Sharing Excess, with the inaugural Spirit of ‘Ohana award for his work rescuing and sharing surplus food with communities in need.
Photo: Dole
The award honors individuals who best demonstrate the kindness, hospitality, and community-service themes of the Hawaiian concept of ‘Ohana as extended family.
Ehlers was inspired to create Sharing Excess in 2016, when he was a student at Drexel University and decided to give away his unused student meals to those in need in Philadelphia.
Two years later, he founded the organization to rescue surplus and unsold food from wholesalers, distributors, and retailers and deliver it to communities experiencing food insecurity.
Photo: Dole
Since then, Sharing Excess has recycled 131 million pounds of food or 110 million meals and fed 10 million people in 36 U.S. states!
A Perfect Partnership
Upon receiving the award, Ehlers noted the critical role that Dole has played in his work.
“Dole has been an extremely valuable partner in our fight against food insecurity and food waste. Through our collaboration at the Port of Wilmington, we’ve rescued and redistributed over 800,000 pounds of fresh produce, providing consistent access to healthy food for communities across Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” he explained.
Photo: Dole
“This partnership stands as the gold standard for how for-profit and nonprofit collaboration can create real, scalable impact. It’s been a powerful step toward ensuring that fresh, nutritious food is accessible to all.”
Finally, Ehlers explained how his organization imbues the spirit of ‘Ohana.
“To us, the spirit of ‘Ohana means showing up for one another and building systems rooted in shared responsibility and care. At the heart of it, our true goal is to scale human compassion,” he continued.
Photo: Dole
In addition to receiving recognition on Dole social media platforms, Ehlers’ Spirit of ‘Ohana Award comes with a year’s supply of pineapple!
Learn More About the Spirit of ‘Ohana
To learn more about Dole’s commitment to ‘Ohana, visit Dole.com/Disney.
Photo: Also Dole
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