Every September, Hunger Action Month shines a light on the collective effort needed to address food insecurity. Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s 2023 report found that nearly 1 in 3 households don’t have consistent access to healthy food. In some of these homes, children have gone entire days without eating. And 37% of all households reported feeling anxious about running out of food.
At Lanakila Pacific, partnerships are central to fighting food insecurity, helping us reach more people, expand access to nutritious meals, and ensure no one goes hungry.
This summer, Lanakila Kitchen partnered with the Hawaii Child Nutrition Program and the Hawaii State Department of Education to deliver free meals through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). More than 60,000 meals were distributed at 57 sites across Oahu, reaching 12,024 keiki who often rely on school lunches as their main meal of the day. Lanakila Kitchen directly sponsored eight sites, including seven long-time partners, reflecting strong, lasting relationships.
At our Teaching & Learning Centers, a new collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Foodbank is making groceries more accessible to those with disabilities. A mini food pantry at our Bachelot location now provides a convenient and familiar place for participants to shop, reducing barriers to food access and helping them build independence.
Hunger Action Month is a reminder that no one should face food insecurity alone. Partnerships make it possible for Lanakila Pacific to reach thousands of keiki, families, and kupuna across the island—we can’t do it without community support.