The Salvation Army calls on donations to replenish food pantries on Hawaiʻi Island to meet demand

The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division is calling for donations and community partnerships to help replenish Hawaiʻi Island food pantries across its Hilo, Honokaʻa, and Kona corps, where shortages are being reported alongside greater needs following Hurricane Lala.

The increasing demand for food staples comes as dual weather threats from Hurricane Lowell and Hurricane Karina create uncertainty for communities throughout the state of Hawaiʻi. The division’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) teams are being readied for Hawaiʻi-wide response as the storms’ trajectories are closely monitored, with particular focus on Lowell’s sudden turn toward Kauaʻi.  

Monetary donations are requested as the priority ask for filling the food pantries, providing corps the greatest flexibility in meeting evolving food item needs and reach. Individuals and local partners are also invited to connect with community corps for the best way to make food donations or provide additional support, with current Hawai‘i Island needs including staples such as canned soup, meat, and vegetables, as well as dry goods like pasta and rice. 

The Salvation Army corps food pantries in Hilo, Honokaʻa, and Kona give out between 75–150 food bags, at an average cost of $50 per bag, during weekly distributions at each corps location. In the wake of Lala, the needs and required resources are growing exponentially, according to the organization.

The Hilo Corps reported 20 new families requesting assistance at their food pantry last Friday. The Food Basket, which helps supplement supplies for The Salvation Army’s food pantries in Kona and Honokaʻa, has also been responding to increased need across the island. With resources being directed to support disaster relief efforts in hard-hit Kaʻū, some scarcity is being seen in the available staples needed to sustain ongoing pantry services in other impacted areas. 

“A bag of groceries can make a meaningful difference for a family facing hardship. Many families across Hawaiʻi are already struggling to make ends meet, and the impacts of severe weather have only compounded those challenges,” said Major Troy Trimmer, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division. “Our officers and disaster relief teams remain vigilant in serving Hawaiʻi, whether in our continued response to Lala, in preparing for inbound weather impacts from Lowell and Karina, and in providing support throughout the daily challenges that can strike our communities.”

Over the last three weeks, The Salvation Army has provided more than 12,800 meals and nearly $50,000 in direct financial assistance to families reeling from the impacts of Lala, particularly prolonged power outages. The active hurricane season has highlighted the underlying challenges of housing and food security for individuals and families across the islands. 

To bolster corps food programs on Hawai‘i Island in the wake of back-to-back severe weather systems, please give through https://fundraise.salvationarmyhawaii.org/hawaiiislandfoodpantries. Learn more about The Salvation Army’s ongoing services and disaster relief response at hawaii.salvationarmy.org.