Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona declares April "Feeding Hawaii's Hungry" month. (Photo courtesy of the Lt. Governor's Office)

MEDIA RELEASE

Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona is encouraging residents to help fight hunger in communities across Hawaii, where current economic conditions have brought new attention to this long-standing social issue.

The month-long “Feeding Hawaii’s Hungry” initiative is intended to encourage donations that would enable feeding programs to keep pace with the growing number of people who are seeking emergency food assistance.  

The Hawaii Foodbank, which distributes food to more than 250 member agencies statewide, reports that donations are down 30 percent, but demand has grown 13 percent in the past year. 

To help offset that growing need, residents are being urged throughout April to get involved by organizing food drives and making donations to the Hawaii Foodbank, the Food Basket on the Big Island, the Maui Food Bank and the Kauai Food Bank. 

In a sign of their continuing support for the cause, Gov. Linda Lingle and Aiona have proclaimed April 2009 as “Feeding Hawaii’s Hungry” month.

“Helping to feed hungry families is part of good citizenship,” Aiona said. “I take comfort in knowing that the people of Hawaii have always shown an incredible willingness to take responsibility not only for themselves, but for the well-being of others.”  

Sheri Rolf, food drive chairwoman for the Hawaii Foodbank, said “since the economic downturn, we need food and monetary donations because people are in need of our help now more than ever before.”

Utu Langi, founder and director of the H-5 Project, a feeding and shelter program, added “lately, it’s not uncommon for us to see people who used to donate, now in need themselves.”

— Find out more:

The Food Basket: www.thefoodbasketinc.com