Hunger Blog 

Calling back on her past life experiences, Hawai‘i Foodbank volunteer Suzanne Marinelli finds purpose in giving back to her community. "The reason I’m here is to serve," she describes. "It’s an emotional nourishment ... It serves me to serve others."

Through its Food 4 Keiki School Pantry, Nānākuli Elementary School partners with Hawai‘i Foodbank and ‘Elepaio Social Services to provide its students with greater access to safe, nutritious food – helping fill students’ basic needs at school and at home.

As food insecurity in Hawai‘i reaches critical levels, Airbnb's gift to Hawaiʻi Foodbank and its statewide network of food banks will help provide food for approximately 2 million meals across the islands.

Although some students only volunteer to fulfill service hour requirements set by schools, regular community service can have many benefits like motivation to advocate for issues in the community and strengthening relationships with loved ones.

Hawai‘i mom April Hail is passionate about nurturing – and nourishing – Hawai‘i’s keiki. So much so that, when she established Keiki Kaukau in 2019, she committed to donating a portion of all proceeds to benefit the Foodbank’s Food 4 Keiki programs.

KEY Project hosts multiple ‘Ohana Foodbank Distributions – part of Hawai‘i Foodbank’s ‘Ohana Produce Plus program – to provide food assistance to communities along the Windward Coast of O‘ahu. Beyond the physical nourishment, the food distributions provide the community with so much more.