One Helping at a Time
Amy Miller
Hunger can begin just one, unexpected event at a time. But Hunger Action Month reminds us that we can end hunger — one helping at a time.
Our hearts are with our Maui ‘ohana and everyone impacted by the devastating wildfires that swept across the island last month. It is now being described as one of the nation’s most catastrophic disasters in more than 100 years. Recovery efforts continue, and Hawai‘i Foodbank is actively working to support our neighbors on Maui and our partners at Maui Food Bank.
The wildfires have displaced thousands of families and drastically reduced their regular access to safe, nutritious food and other important resources. It’s a sobering reminder of how precarious the line between food security and hunger can be. When disasters unfold, many hard-working families are forced to face hunger for the first time in their lives. The ripple effect of hunger is powerful, and the impact can last for years.
From Hurricane ‘Iniki to the recent wildfires on Maui, disasters remind us how fragile the line between food security and hunger can be.
At Hawai‘i Foodbank, we see it happen every day on an individual basis, too. Often, it begins just one, unexpected event at a time. Just one occurrence can trigger a series of lingering events — making hunger a very persistent problem:
An illness.
A job loss.
A newborn child.
A move to care for an aging family member.
Sometimes, that’s all it takes to push a family from comfort to food insecurity. Add to this the high cost of living in Hawai‘i, and the ability to overcome hunger becomes even more daunting. It’s why we see hunger continue to perpetuate — impacting family after family, generation after generation. At Hawai‘i Foodbank, we are committed to ending this cycle and supporting all of our communities across the state.
September is Hunger Action Month, our annual month of action to spread awareness and inspire everyone to join the movement to end hunger.
Hunger Action Month reminds us that we can end hunger — one helping at a time. Every action counts:
Every like and share.
Every food drive.
Every volunteer.
Every donation.
Every meal.
Every action adds up — playing a critical role in maintaining our mission to nourish the 1 in 6 people in Hawai‘i struggling with hunger every day. On top of that, these actions enable us to respond swiftly during disasters and other emergencies. Over the last year, the accumulative actions and support from our community have helped us distribute more than 17.7 million pounds of food, including 5 million pounds of fresh produce, to those in need.
Together, we can end hunger — one helping at a time.
This September, we ask you to please take action with us again. Your actions matter, and your donation provides much more than food. Each action provides hope for thousands of keiki, kūpuna and families across Hawai‘i. Together, let’s break the cycle of hunger — one meal at a time.
