See where food assistance resources go, as more hungry people need help in Hawaii

HONOLULU (Island News) — Food programs in Hawaii see some cuts in their federal funds. These reductions come as food insecurity rises in the islands.

Some of the food from the Hawaii Foodbank, along with other donations, ends up at Wallyhouse where it is turned into hot meals four days a week.

Volunteers make plates of food and give it away to anyone who needs it.

“Having that sense of security of where the next meal will come from is big,” said Catholic worker Jeremy Castro.

Like with many other food programs, there has been an increase in need so more meals are being served up.

“Three to four years ago we maxed out at 120 to 150 meals. Now, it is looking more like 150 minimum closer to 200 on average a day,” added Castro.

For some, like Dana Mayes, it will be their only hot meal of the day.

“It does help a lot of people because they aren’t going to have much to eat if they don’t get that,” said Mayes.

He is grateful for the meal and a regular visitor to Wallyhouse after being homeless for seven of the past 10 years.

“Like a few people, I had a car so we called it a ‘carpartment’, but when something happened with that I’m back out here,” added Mayes.

Along with serving up hot meals, volunteers at Wallyhouse also make up hundreds of bags of groceries each day for people to take.

Not just for those without a home, like Dana.

“A lot of people think those who need help are drinking alcohol or abusing drugs, but they may not see some of the families that come in. Like the auntie who takes care of her nephews kids while he’s at work,” said Castro.

Families and seniors also come in for food assistance, because some are going without.

“10% of Hawaii households are going without eating for whole days at a time, some or most months of the year,” said Amy Miller, Hawaii Foodbank President & CEO.

Meanwhile the need is growing.

The Salvation Army also distributes bags of groceries twice a week in Honolulu.

Just two years ago it gave out 60 to 100 bags a week.

Now volunteers prepare 300 bags a day, but sometimes they have run out.

“Last quarter, we served an average of 172,000 people per month across the islands of Oahu and Kauai. Prior to the pandemic, we were serving about 80,000 people,” added Miller.

With cuts to some federal programs, there is concern it will stretch Hawaii’s food resources even more.

Resources many have come to rely on.

“Having that food on a regular basis can be a life saver, it can get them through the day,” said Castro.