Latest news with #AmyMiller
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaiʻi Foodbank giving keiki free meals this summer
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Looking for free meals for your keiki this summer? Hawaiʻi Foodbank has you covered. Hawaii Foodbank expecting cuts from federal funding as need continues to grow Sun Meals and Kaukau 4 Keiki, Hawaiʻi Foodbank's summer programs for students, are making a return this summer, providing free food for students when school is not in session. 'For many households, school-provided meals are a critical resource that helps families make it through each school day. But for families and children facing hunger, summer can mean up to 90 days without their most consistent source of food,' said Hawaiʻi Foodbank President and CEO Amy Miller. 'These programs help to fill that gap. By providing free meals for students throughout the summer, we hope to take some of the stress off both keiki and their parents to ensure everyone is able to come back healthy and ready to learn in the fall—and reach their full potential in the future.'Sun Meals will be holding various meal sites across the island with no registration required. The locations and times are listed here: Linapuni Elementary1434 Linapuni St, Honolulu, HI 96819 June 3 to June 27, closed June 11Lunch: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wahiawa Elementary School1402 Glen Ave, Wahiawa, HI 96786 June 9 to June 30 (closed June 11) July 14 to July 25 Lunch: 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Salt Lake Elementary1131 Ala Lilikoi St, Honolulu, HI 96818 June 18 to July 10, closed July 4Lunch: 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The Shelter47-323 ʻAhuimanu Road, Kāneʻohe, HI 96744 Thursdays: June 12, 19, 26, July 10, 17Lunch: 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Waimānalo Emergency Shelter41-490 Saddle City Road, Waimānalo, HI 96795 June 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26; July 1, 8, 10, 15, 17Lunch: 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. City & County of Honolulu at Kualoa Regional Park49-479 Kamehameha Hwy, Kāneʻohe, HI 96744 (Campground A)June 20, 21, 27, 28; July 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Friday Supper: 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday Lunch: 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Liliha Public Library1515 Liliha St, Honolulu, HI 96817 Every Friday for eight weeks of summer, excluding July 4Lunch: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Kaukau 4 Keiki will allow parents or guardians to pick up weekly meal boxes for each of their children at six different distribution sites starting June 2 through Aug. 1. Each box will contain groceries to prepare seven days of breakfast and lunch for one child, including fruits and vegetables, proteins, milk, fresh produce, bread and more information, visit the Hawaiʻi Foodbank's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kokua Line: How is Hawaii Foodbank coping with federal cuts?
Question : I've been reading about how food banks are struggling across the country because of federal budget cuts () and I wondered how the local food bank is doing. Are there specific things they need ? Answer : The Hawaii Foodbank is down to a roughly two-week supply of food, when it normally has at least a three-week inventory, and is counting on state and city grants and private donations to help fill the gap caused by the loss of millions of dollars worth of high-quality meat, fish, cheese, eggs and other food previously funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, president and CEO Amy Miller said in a telephone interview Wednesday. As for what the Foodbank needs, monetary donations are best, she said, because the nonprofit organization stretches those dollars by purchasing in bulk at a discount. 'We love all our food drive partners and any food drive is helpful, but you don't have to donate food to participate, ' she said. Adele Yoshikawa, the Hawaii coordinator of this Saturday's Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, concurs. Postal customers can leave nonperishable food donations in their mailboxes for U.S. Postal Service carriers to pick up, or they can text 'NALC ' to '71777 ' for a link to donate money directly to the Hawaii Foodbank, which can use it to buy whatever is needed, including fresh vegetables and fruit and other perishable food that can't be donated Saturday. Go to for details. 'Offering the community a monetary donation option is a 'win-win' proposition. It's so much easier for our customers. It also enables us to maximize the impact of customer support for those in need, ' Yoshikawa, a Pearl City letter carrier, said in statement. 'In the past, a customer may have used $20 to purchase and donate one 25-pound bag of rice. But that same $20 donated virtually can be used to purchase 240 pounds of food, or 25 entire meals !' The National Association of Letter Carriers' event, billed as the nation's largest one-day food drive, is held annually on the second Saturday of May. Donations go to food banks in the cities and towns where they are made. For those who prefer to donate nonperishable food rather than money, postal customers should place the items in their mailbox, or, if there's too much food to fit, greet the carrier with the donation, Yoshikawa said. It's OK, but not preferred, to leave a note in the mailbox with instructions, such as to pick up a bag of canned goods by the front door. Nonperishable foods high in protein, such as canned tuna, salmon, beans and peanut butter, are most needed. Volunteers are needed Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Pearl City Post Office to box up the donated food. Each volunteer must wear covered shoes and submit a liability waiver. To volunteer, contact Yoshikawa by phone at 808-351-4095 or email at adeleyoshikawa @ 'This can be a great way for school kids to do community service projects and we will give them a volunteer letter confirming that they helped, ' she said, adding that people don't need to stay the whole six hours. Miller said donations are appreciated as the Hawaii Foodbank copes with the elimination of a specific category of federal funding that had provided a total of about $4 million worth of food last year to food banks throughout Hawaii, including the Oahu facility. The funding had served a dual purpose, buying commodities from U.S. farmers and providing nutritional food to needy people through local food banks. 'From this funding channel last year we had received frozen chicken ; cheese ; fresh eggs ; hazelnuts ; frozen fish ; frozen pork chops … so lots of great proteins ; high quality, high-cost items, ' she said. Before the funding cuts, USDA commodity foods accounted for about 20 % of the Hawaii Foodbank's stock, she said. 'So our inventory is down, as the need is rising. I don't want to panic anybody. We are working hard (to fill the gaps ) but it is a challenge for sure, ' she said. With nearly one in three Hawaii households experiencing food insecurity, the Hawaii Foodbank is now serving nearly as many people as it did during the height of the pandemic, she said. 'We're seeing lots of new people who have never used a food bank before ' but can't keep up with the rising cost of living. Read more at. Q : I received two texts from the Department of Motor Vehicles. They say 'your toll payment for E-Z Pass Lane must be settled by May 7, 2025. To avoid fines and the suspension of driving privileges, kindly pay by the due date.' Is anyone else receiving these texts ? A : These are scam texts—they are not actually from the DMV. Yes, other people are receiving them. Do not respond to the texts or click on any links within them. Delete them and block the senders. Mahalo I would like to thank Gwen and Bob for paying my lunch bill at Anna Miller's. This grateful senior citizen really appreciates it very much.—Dennis------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii Foodbank expecting cuts from federal funding as need continues to grow
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaii Foodbank is hoping for the best but preparing for the worst if it takes a hit from federal budget cuts possibly affecting thousands of residents. What you need to know about volunteering at your local foodbank It may look like business as usual at the Hawaii Foodbank warehouse, but there is concern. 'We are continuing all of our work, we're continuing to get food in communities, we're continuing our purchasing, but we are being thoughtful to ensure we're, every dollar that we spend is being used as efficiently as possible and making contingency plans for the future,' said Amy Miller, Hawaii Foodbank President & CEO. A $1 billion cut in the USDA will likely cut $2.3 million in federal funding for the Hawaii Foodbank and that's just for now. 'That's a program that this island, islands need,' said Sen. Kurt Favella, (R) assistant minority floor leader. 'Foodbank going be losing these kinds of funding and opportunities to be able to get food, it's gonna cause a big, big problem in rural and underprivileged areas.' Officials said the foodbank receives about 20% of its budget from federal funds, receiving about $6.6 million worth of food from federal assistance last year. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The worst part is that the need is reaching critical levels. The foodbank services 170,000 people in the state per month, up about 13% from last year and more than double the amount pre-pandemic. State lawmakers are ready to help, but there is good and bad news. The good news — there is a bill that would provide emergency funding for any non-profit, like the Hawaii Foodbank, to get state funds if their federal funds are cut. The bad news — lawmakers expect a lot of groups will need help. 'We may not be able to help everybody, so we're going to have to prioritize based on real needs, health and wellness, public safety, and things that are extreme critical importance,' said Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, (D) Ways & Means committee foodbank said it is fortunate the local community has always stepped up to help in times of need. But even it knows it'll have to start doing more with less. 'Our number one commitment is to the folks that we're serving,' said Miller. 'We wanna be sure that nobody goes without and they know they can count on Hawaii Foodbank and our community to put food on the table at night.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
