About Hawai‘i Foodbank
Nourish our ‘ohana.
Mission Statement: Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s mission is to nourish our ʻohana today while we work to end hunger tomorrow.
How We Nourish Our ‘Ohana
Where Our Food Comes From
Hawaiʻi Foodbank operates out of two locations: our 23,668 square-foot warehouse on O‘ahu and our 4,750 square-foot warehouse on Kaua‘i. Both warehouses are AIB inspected and certified for food safety. In our warehouses — we receive, inspect, sort, store, and distribute a variety of food.
We receive food from food manufacturers and growers, food purchases, food retailers and wholesalers, Feeding America, individual and corporate food drives, and federal food commodities.
![Volunteers in Oahu organizing a local food and fund drive to support Hawaii Foodbank’s mission.](https://d9x3r8n6.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/HawaiiFoodbank_FoodAndFundDrive.jpg)
Preparing Food for Distribution
Volunteers and staff at our warehouses help prepare food for distribution. They inspect dry food and produce by checking the integrity of the food products, sorting categories and boxing items for warehouse storage. This helps prepare food for quicker and more efficient distribution to those in need.
Once food is ready to distribute to our food partner agencies and programs, our fleet of vehicles loads and distributes food safely throughout O‘ahu and Kaua‘i.
Delivering Nourishment – and Hope
Hawaiʻi Foodbank partners with more than 200 food partner agencies on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i. Our food partner agencies are the most significant distribution avenue in our network – serving food in a variety of ways depending on the needs of their communities. These include food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, domestic abuse shelters, rehabilitation centers and more.
Together, we distribute food through feeding programs like ‘Ohana Produce Plus, Food 4 Keiki and federal commodity programs.
Equal Food Access for All
Our Pledge to the Community
At Hawai‘i Foodbank, we believe in equal access for all.
Hunger knows no bounds. It does not discriminate based on occupation, background, race, religion, political affiliation or any other demographic factor. As such, Hawai‘i Foodbank's pledge to the community includes embracing every member of our ‘ohana. We are committed to helping individuals stand up for their own dignity by providing equal access to healthy food – which, ultimately, can sustain hope for a better tomorrow. We will continue to work diligently to eliminate the stigma surrounding hunger in our communities.
There is no shame in receiving food because everyone deserves a seat at the table.
Hunger
in Hawai‘i
The Rising Need
Due to COVID-19, the number of people in need of food assistance has grown significantly. We are working to distribute food to more households than ever before.
Read MoreHistory
of Hawai‘i Foodbank
40 Years of Service
Since 1983, Hawai‘i Foodbank has pioneered many successful models aimed at ending hunger in Hawai‘i. See how your support has contributed to our growth over the years.
Read MoreImpact
of Our Mission
Providing Hope
We hear stories of people getting back on their feet because they could count on Hawai‘i Foodbank for safe food access. Read their stories on our Hunger Blog.
Read MoreThe Official Food Bank of the State of Hawaiʻi
Hawai‘i Foodbank is a non-profit 501(c)3 agency that provides food assistance to the state of Hawai‘i. We serve O‘ahu and Kaua‘i directly while partnering with The Food Basket to serve Hawai‘i County and Maui Food Bank to serve Maui County. Together, we work to ensure that no one in our entire Hawai‘i ‘ohana goes hungry.
Nationwide Support and Accountability
Hawai‘i Foodbank is a certified member of Feeding America – the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, encompassing a network of 200 food banks across the United States. Certification means Hawai‘i Foodbank is held to the highest standards for food handling, storage and distribution, financial management, organizational stability, board governance, and more.
As the leading food bank of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Foodbank proudly partners with Aloha United Way and Kaua‘i United Way.