State Focuses on Ending Hunger
The Lt. Governor brought together community leaders at a ceremony last week at the State Capitol to announce April as "Helping to Feed Hawai`i's Hungry Month."
The Lt. Governor presents a proclamation to Linda Chu Takayama of the Hawai`i Food Bank.
The Hawai`i Foodbank accepted the proclamation from the Lt. Governor. This year, the Hawai`i Foodbank plans to distribute nearly nine million pounds of food to more than 270 nonprofit organizations across O`ahu, including food pantries, feeding programs, homeless shelters and rehabilitation centers.
Last year, the Lt. Governor led an effort to eliminate a barrier to preparing meals for the homeless. Under the new rules enacted by the Lingle-Aiona Administration, organizations and individuals that prepare free meals for the homeless are exempt from certain Department of Health permit requirements.
Throughout the month of April, the Governor and Lt. Governor are encouraging residents to generously support food banks across the state. Last year, State employees collected $122,568 and 94,095 pounds of food. This year, the State coalition is working to meet the goal of raising $150,000 and 100,000 pounds of food.
Food banks and their member agencies feed nearly 132,000 people statewide each year, including approximately 32,000 children and 14,000 seniors.
The Hawai`i Foodbank will have a food drive this Saturday at locations around O`ahu. Learn more on the Hawai`i Foodbank website.
