FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2021
Media Contact: Janice Ikeda
Executive Director, Vibrant Hawai‘i
(808) 936-2268 | janice@vibranthawaii.org
Vibrant Hawaiʻi Winter Food Boxes Provide Food Security for Keiki
Vibrant Hawaiʻi is pleased to announce the distribution of 700 meal boxes to keiki in communities across the island with logistical support and kōkua from Resilience Hub community leaders. With funding from No Kid Hungry, Vibrant Hawaiʻi purchased shelf stable meal items, snacks, and fresh produce from KTA Super Stores. Twelve community leaders are volunteering their time to deliver and distribute meal boxes to keiki in Hilo, South Puna, North Puna, Pāhala/Nāʻālehu, Ocean View, Miloliʻi, Kealakekua, Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa, North Kohala, and Hāmākua.
Building upon the success of the Kaukau 4 Keiki summer meal program that provided 336,000 meals to 4,000 keiki islandwide, the Winter Food Boxes will similarly serve our island keiki during the school winter break. Throughout the school year, thousands of students have access to free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch meals at over 20 Hawaiʻi Island schools. During the two-week Winter Break, many of these students do not have access to regular food items.
“We often hear about the prevalence of ACEs or Adverse Childhood Experiences in our communities, and the long-term, negative impact of ACEs. Community led initiatives, such as this, build a sense of belonging and connection between a keiki and their community, and contribute toward Positive Childhood Experiences which build resilience and support outcomes such as good health and success in school.” says Janice Ikeda, Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s Executive Director.
Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s mission is to empower the Hawaiʻi community by increasing equitable opportunities, shifting deficit narratives and systems, and implementing strategies that are developed and resourced by the community and reflect native intelligence. To learn more about our work, visit www.vibranthawaii.org.