National Food Bank Day
Ron Mizutani
Today is National Food Bank Day. We’re grateful to be a member of Feeding America, the largest hunger relief organization in the United States, and today we are recognizing the unwavering contributions of food banks all across the country.
This year, the role of food banks in our communities is especially important as COVID-19 continues to threaten the lives and livelihoods of people throughout the world.
According to research from Feeding America, before the pandemic began, food insecurity in the U.S. was at the lowest point seen since before the Great Recession, and yet more than 37 million people, including more than 11 million children, were food insecure.
The current crisis is likely to reverse the improvements that have occurred over the past decade as millions of people are newly at risk of experiencing food insecurity, alongside those who were already struggling with hunger before the COVID-19 crisis began. Nationally, more than 54 million people, including 18 million children, may be at risk of experiencing food insecurity because of COVID-19.
In Hawaii, food insecurity has grown by more than 60 percent since Hawaii’s first positive case of COVID-19 – representing the fifth highest percentage increase in the nation.
Nearly a quarter of a million Hawaii residents are currently struggling with hunger. Among them are out-of-work parents, isolated kūpuna, and now more than 90,000 keiki.
As more closures, stay-at-home orders and social distancing mandates meant to limit the spread of COVID-19 extend across Hawaii, every community will feel the impact of this virus in one way or another. Food insecure individuals will face particular challenges, and the sobering reality is the number of people experiencing hunger will continue to increase.
That’s why food banks are here. And that’s why Hawaii Foodbank will continue to be here. We are committed to providing safe food access to everyone who needs it – wherever they may be. No matter what the circumstances.
That’s why food banks are here. And that's why Hawaii Foodbank will continue to be here.
Providing food to someone gives them much more than a meal. It brings them invaluable hope and inspiration for a better tomorrow. It is something Hawaii Foodbank has done for the past 35 years, and we’re able to do so because of your spirit and generosity. Your contributions are critical to help us meet the growing needs and ensuring families have the resources they rely on to emerge stronger from this pandemic. Your support gives them security, peace and aloha.
Mahalo for joining us in celebrating National Food Bank Day. Today, during this pandemic and beyond – we are prepared to keep serving with servant hearts. We will #RiseResiliently. Together.
