HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi Foodbank held its largest fundraising event of the year on Aug. 2 — Food Drive Day.
In celebration of the day, the island community came together to donate to the foodbank from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., whether that be food or funds.
The food drive comes at an extremely important time, with local families feeling the heat from economic uncertainty and federal funding cuts to resources such as SNAP.
According to the Hawaiʻi Foodbank, one in three local households do not have access to the food required to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. Through their work, the foodbank assists an average of more than 170,000 people monthly — double the number they supported pre-COVID.
“This year’s Food Drive Day comes at a critical time. Hawaiʻi Foodbank and so many other organizations are facing funding cuts, affecting a variety of programs that provide crucial services for so many in our community,” Amy Miller, president and CEO of Hawaiʻi Foodbank, said. “We will continue working with partners to keep food flowing to our families, neighbors and communities facing hunger. But we cannot do this alone.”
The Hawaiʻi Foodbank set up at multiple locations around the island, including Ka Makana Aliʻi, Town Center of Mililani, Windward City Shopping Center and more.
The foodbank says that donations of just $10 could help provide food for more than 20 meals, with First Hawaiian Bank matching donations up to $50,000.
For more information, visit HawaiiFoodbank.org.