Insurance company AIG Hawaii is asking its employees, customers and business partners to help fight the growing problem of hunger in Hawaii.

The company has launched a statewide food drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pounds of food — about six pallets of canned goods — for the Hawaii and Neighbor Island Food Banks between now and Nov. 19.

Robin Campaniano, AIG Hawaii president and chief executive officer, said the food drive reflects AIG Hawaii's ties to the local community.

"AIG Hawaii Family of Companies has been in Hawai'i for over 50 years and has a long history of supporting the community," Campaniano said in a news release. "We serve the community in ways that enrich and preserve the quality of life for the people of Hawai'i. Hunger is a growing problem and many are experiencing difficult times during this tough economy. We want to help so no one will go hungry during the holiday season."

In a letter to AIG Hawaii policy holders, Campaniano also invited customers and the public to help by dropping off nonperishable food donations at designated AIG Hawaii offices, Restaurant Row, Pearl City and Kunia Wal-Mart on O'ahu and Neighbor Island AIG offices in Kahului, Hilo and Lihu'e.

In addition, AIG Hawaii's eight credit union partners, with a combined 33 branches, will also be contributing to the food drive through employee contributions and by serving as collection points for public donations. Participating credit unions include Aloha Airlines Federal Credit Union, Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union, Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union, Hawaiian Airlines Federal Credit Union, Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union, Honolulu Federal Credit Union, Schofield Federal Credit Union and Windward Community Federal Credit Union.

"We appreciate the support of AIG Hawaii, its business partners and its customers," said Dick Grimm, president of the Hawaii Foodbank. "In the past year, we've seen as much as a 30 percent increase in the number of people requesting aid. The help from AIG Hawaii and its partners comes at exactly the right time, and we hope more companies and people who are able will come forward to help these families in need."

The Hawaii Foodbank says its most needed products are protein sources like canned meats, Spam, tuna and beans. They also need canned meals like chili and spaghetti, canned soups, canned vegetables and canned fruits.