HONOLULU (KHON2) — As the federal government shutdown enters another week, Hawai‘i Foodbank is stepping up emergency food distributions across O‘ahu.
The goal is to help households affected by the loss of pay, halted contracts or interruptions in federal nutrition programs.
“Right now, Hawaiʻi Foodbank is serving about twice as many people as we did prior to the pandemic, and about as many people as we did during the height of the pandemic,” Amy Miller, CEO of the Hawaiʻi Foodbank, told KHON2.com on Oct. 26. “We’re on track to distribute more than 25 million pounds of food this year. And that is, again, without any of the impacts of the federal shutdown. So, we know that people are struggling. We’re really seeing high need in the community.”
Here’s what we know from the Hawai‘i Foodbank.
Expanded support for affected families
Hawai‘i Foodbank will host five distributions the week of Nov. 2. Each event will provide essential groceries to families and individuals who qualify under specific guidelines.
“We are right now planning on a number of additional distributions to help meet the need for our federal employees and folks who’ve been already impacted not taking their paychecks this last month,” said Miller. “We really want to see our community come together to take care of those who are being affected right now.”
Schedule of food distributions
- Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025
- Inspire Church at Patsy T. Mink Central O‘ahu Regional Park.
- 94-801 Kamehameha Highway, Waipahu.
- 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Walk-up or drive-thru format.
- Registration open now.
- Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025
- Windward Community College – Hale ‘Ākoakoa.
- 45-720 Keaʻahala Road, Kāneʻohe.
- 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Food for 500 households.
- Registration open now.
- Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025
- Location to be determined.
- Friday, Nov. 7, 2025
- Hawaiian Airlines ‘Ohana Hangar (off Lagoon Drive).
- 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Food for 500 households.
- Registration opens Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 9 a.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025
- Ke‘ehi Lagoon Memorial Park (ASYMCA Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam).
- 10 a.m. to noon.
- Food for 500 households.
- Registration opens Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 9 a.m.
Each household may register for only one ticket per event. A separate registration form is required for every household. Registration is available here.
Eligibility requirements
Participants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
- Experiencing wage loss due to furlough (federal employees only).
- Experiencing loss of employment (federal employees only).
- Meeting the income eligibility limits listed below.
Household size and annual income equal to or less than:
- 1 person = $53,970 total income.
- 2 people = $72,960 total income.
- 3 people = $91,950 total income.
- 4 people = $110,940 total income.
- 5 people = $129,930 total income.
- 6 people = $148,920 total income.
- 7 people = $167,910 total income.
- 8 people = $186,900 total income.
For each additional person beyond eight, add $18,900.
Community voices
Several people have voiced their concerns and tribulations as well as appreciation for local food distributions that are saving lives.
“My husband’s a federal employee and we haven’t received a paycheck. We’ve been skipping meals to make sure our kids are fed. This food gives us a little breathing room,” said an O‘ahu parent of three.
“Without this, I don’t know what we’d do. We’re already behind on rent, and now with the shutdown, it’s like we’re holding our breath every day,” said a federal contractor from Kapolei.
“It’s hard to ask for help, but this made it feel okay. You folks didn’t just give food — you gave us hope,” said a Navy spouse at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
How to help
Donations of food and funds are urgently needed. Supporters can contribute directly or host a food drive by visiting HawaiiFoodbank.org/donate.
For many local families, these events are more than food pickups. They are a reminder that even during hardship, Hawai‘i still shows up to feed one another.