Local Organizations Help Federal Workers with Food Distribution

The Hawaiʻi state American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, Hawaiʻi food banks, and Island Energy have teamed up to help out federal workers who lost pay due to the recent government shutdown. 

Services have since been restored for three weeks under the enactment of a continuing resolution by US Congress and President Trump.  Despite the resumption of services, the Hawaiʻi AFL-CIO will be continue to provide free food during their a “Feeding the Feds” program.

The Maui distribution takes place on Mondays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, and Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 12 p.m to 4 p.m. at the ILWU, located at 896 Lower Main Street in Wailuku.

Hawaiʻi State AFL–CIO President Randy Perreira said, “We are glad to see a measure of sanity returning to the folks in Washington, D.C., and hope that this temporary reprieve results in a resolution of the budget. It’s been downright wrong that the impacted employees have been casualties of the political games of the President; but I think we should all be proud of the dedication and loyalty shown by our Federal workers who continued to do their jobs in service to our country despite not getting paid. Since we expect that the detrimental effects of the shutdown will linger, the Hawaiʻi State AFL-CIO through its local unions  and community partners will continue our food distributions for affected federal workers statewide.”

Federal workers who would like to receive free food from the AFL-CIO must present their federal ID at the location. Items will be given out while supplies last. 

Below is the schedule for the “Feeding the Feds” campaign:

Maui:

Mondays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and 11; and Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 12 p.m to 4 p.m.
Location:  ILWU
896 Lower Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793

Oʻahu:

Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location:  Seafarers Union Hall
606 Kalihi Street, Honolulu, HI 96819

Tuesdays: Feb. 5 and 12, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
IBEW 1186
1935 Hau St #400, Honolulu, HI 96819

Kauaʻi:

Thursdays: Jan. 24 and 31; and Feb. 7 and 14,  from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: HGEA
3213 Akahi Street, Līhu‘e, HI 96766

Kona:

Fridays: Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Hawaiʻ Food Basket Kona
73-4161 Ulu Wini Place, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Hilo:

Saturdays: Jan. 26; Feb. 2, 9 and 16, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Hawaiʻi Food Basket Hilo
40 Holomua Street, Hilo HI 96720

Anyone interested in partnering with the Hawaiʻi state AFL-CIOʻs “Feeding the Feds” campaign can donate to the Hawaiʻi Employees Lifeline Program, which is located at 345 Queen St., Suite 500, Honolulu, HI 96813, or contact the Hawaiʻi state AFL-CIO office at [email protected]