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Proclamation: Helping to Feed Hawaii’s Hungry Month

PROCLAMATION

Hunger is a serious issue in Hawaii. Because of financial constraints, families in need often face tough choices, such as choosing between food and medicine, medical treatment, rent or mortgage payments.

Since 1983, the Hawaii Foodbank, in collaboration with food banks on the neighbor islands, has served as an important link between donors and the hungry, collecting food and gathering support from the community and distributing that food to charitable agencies serving those in need.

Last year, the Hawaii Foodbank distributed 10 million pounds of food to 250 charities across Oahu, including food pantries, feeding programs, homeless shelters, rehabilitation centers and soup kitchens. The Hawaii Foodbank, The Food Basket on Hawaii, Maui Food Bank and Kauai Food Bank distributed a combined total of 13.4 million pounds of food to 454 member agencies.

These four food banks and their member agencies feed 183,000 people statewide each year. Of these people, 55,050 are children and 11,010 are senior citizens. Donations are also the primary means to help low-income families, the disabled, the temporarily unemployed and those experiencing unexpected emergencies.

While the food banks have experienced a substantial increase in food donated and distributed over the past years, they still rely heavily on the generosity of volunteers and public donations. On April 17, the Hawaii Foodbank, The Food Basket on Hawaii, Maui Food Bank and Kauai Food Bank will hold its 21st Annual Food Drive to raise awareness of hunger in our islands, as well as collect food and funds to feed the hungry.

THEREFORE, I, LINDA LINGLE, Governor, and I, James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr., Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaii, do hereby proclaim April 2010 as HELPING TO FEED HAWAII’S HUNGRY MONTH in Hawaii, and strongly encourage our citizens to give generously to the food drive on April 17 and throughout the year, feeding those in need today, and giving them hope for a better tomorrow.

DONE at the State Capitol, in the Executive Chambers, Honolulu, State of Hawaii, this thirteenth day of April 2010.

Linda Lingle
Governor, State of Hawaii

James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr.
Lieutenant Governor, State of Hawaii

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