HONOLULU, HI – โ Hawaii is bolstering food assistance resources for familiesโข as a potential โคfederal government shutdown โlooms, threatening to disrupt the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance programโ (SNAP) benefits.โฃ The state Department of Humanโค services (DHS) is proactively highlighting existingโ programs to ensure continued access to food for eligible residents.
Families who qualify for or are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals can โฃaccess nutritionally balanced lunches through the Free and Reduced-Price School Meals program at โขpublic and participating charter schools.
Additionally,โฃ the SUN bucks program provides grocery assistance to families withโ school-aged children who meet income โrequirementsโ for free or reduced-price meals, โขspecifically during the summer months.
DHS has contracted with eight โฃnonprofit organizations statewide to assist households in applying for SNAP benefits and connecting them with โlocal food resources.โ These SNAP Outreach Providers offer referralโ services to community support. Residents can also access a comprehensive database โof food resources โthrough Aloha United Way 2-1-1.
Food banks acrossโ the โขislands are prepared to serve communities:
* Hawaiiโค Foodbank (Oahu: 808-836-3600, Kauai: 808-482-2224)
* Hawaii Island Food โBasket (808-933-6030)
* Maui Food Bank (808-243-9500) distributes over 8 millionโ pounds of food annually, including 2.3 million pounds of freshโ produce.
DHS stated it will continue to monitor federal requirements and update resources as needed. Residents are โencouraged to checkโ the DHS website (https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/) for updates and respond to any DHS notifications.Individuals with questions canโฃ call 1-855-643-1643 to speak with an eligibility โworker.