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Support for Facing Food Insecurity in Hawaii

December 14, 2020

From the Office for Social Ministry

For many years, Hawaii had one of the lowest rates of unemployment throughout the U.S. Nine months since Hawaii’s initial COVID-19 shut down, many local residents continue to struggle with navigating the Unemployment Insurance process leaving more families financially vulnerable and food insecure. Additionally, beginning January 2021, the Governor is proposing to impose 2 furlough days a month on all unionized state workers.  Each worker will experience a 9.2% pay cut. So putting food on the table is a very serious stress and challenge for many Hawaii households. The Hawaii Food Bank is continuing to schedule “Pop-Up Food Distribution” events on Oahu and Kauai. December dates that aren’t yet FULL are as follows:

KAUAI

• December 19^th @ Kauai Philippine Cultural Center in Lihue, 10 AM till Noon. They will be providing food for 250 households. To register, go to https://app.mobilecause.com/f/34py/n?vid=f9z6a

OAHU 

• December 23^rd @ Ewa Pu’uloa Park, 9:00 – 11:00 AM. They will be providing food for 400 households. Registration opens December 16^th at 9:00 AM. Click on the December 23^rd date at https://hawaiifoodbank.org/pop-up/
  
  
• December 30^th @ Waianae District Park, 9:00 – 11:00 AM. They will be providing food for 400 households. Registration opens December 23^rd at 9:00 AM. Click on the December 30^th date at https://hawaiifoodbank.org/pop-up/

On the BIG ISLAND, the Hawaii Food Basket supports local farmers by purchasing their produce for distribution at designated sites across the island. Each week, DA BOX subscribers are given at least 7 fruits and vegetables at a reasonable cost. Although the website says they’re no longer accepting applications, OSM staff verified with the Food Basket that as people are slowly returning to work, some locations are accepting new subscribers. Sites that are already full have a wait list.  Many of the Diocese parishes are participating with the Food Basket helping families facing food insecurity on the Big Island. Call the Hawaii Food Basket at (808) 933-6030 for more information about subscribing to DA BOX. For a listing of the pick-up times and locations around the island, visit their website at https://www.hawaiifoodbasket.org/da-box. Locally grown produce can help to freshen-up non-perishable food items given at pantries and other distribution events. Please check it out to see if it may help you and if you can help these efforts to support all facing food insecurity during this difficult time! Mahalo.