WAILUKU - A new Maui organization is bringing together community volunteers to help feed the island's hungry by harvesting the unwanted yield of backyard fruit trees.

"Waste Not, Want Not" volunteers collect from donating tree owners, and, with help from the Maui Food Bank, distribute the produce to locations where senior citizens and low-income communities can get the nutritious food at no cost.

"With the large increase in demand for food assistance, there has never been a better time for a program like this," said Richard Yust, executive director of the Maui Food Bank. "Fresh fruit and vegetables play a vital role in proper nutrition, and having a balanced diet is the key to one's overall well-being. We are always looking to bring in new sources of food, and Waste Not Want Not is a great addition."

The new group is co-founded by Suzanne Freitas, an Olinda resident and former member of the Maui Planning Commission, and her brother, James Mylenek Sr. of Kihei.

Mylenek said he and his sister came up with the idea of forming the nonprofit after they began bringing oranges, tangerines and lemons from trees on Freitas' property to people living at the Hale Mahaolu senior citizens housing complex.

"They were always very grateful for it," Mylenek said.

Mylenek and Freitas call what they do "fruit cycling."

"Fruit cycling is truly a community-run operation," Freitas said. "It works as long as the volunteers continue to harvest, the fruit tree owners continue to donate and the sponsors continue to supply the tools to make it all possible."

"Waste Not Want Not" and its volunteers say that instead of unwanted fruit rotting on the ground or going in the trash, it should go to those who can use it but don't have the means to collect or buy it. Mylenek said the idea is not new.

"Village Harvest" of San Jose, Calif., has been conducting a similar campaign to collect and distribute fruit from backyard trees since 2001, he said, adding that in 2007 alone it harvested 62.5 tons.

"We've been in communication with 'Village Harvest' and other volunteer harvesting groups to learn from their experiences," he said.

This startup organization is using a personal truck, borrowed ladders and other equipment, but members said they hope they can expand the operation and increase their harvesting ability to serve more island communities.

On New Year's Eve, the group with just five volunteers collected about 153 pounds, or half a pickup truck load of fruit. They had another harvest prior to that day that collected about 360 pounds of fruit. They would have collected more, but rain before New Year's slowed them down, Mylenek said.

"Waste Not, Want Not" has fruit tree donors Upcountry, but the group would like to get volunteers and property owners in other parts of the island to participate in the program.

The group formed about four months ago and began harvesting about four weeks ago. Mylenek said he is working on obtaining federal nonprofit status for his group.

With these challenging economic times, more and more residents have come to rely on their own local means to sustain their families, the group says.

"Wasting large amounts of food is no longer acceptable, and so it's time to act. The fruit is ready and waiting, let's cycle it," Freitas said.

Mylenek said the harvesting schedule will vary, depending on the availability of fruit trees and volunteers.

To learn more about "Waste Not, Want Not," become a volunteer, donate fruit or make a contribution to support the program, visit the Web site waste-not-want-not.org or call 874-8038.