Registration For 12 Community Distribution Sites Open Across Hawaiʻi Island Through Aloha In Action Response

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Registration For 12 Community Distribution Sites Open Across Hawaiʻi Island Through Aloha In Action Response

Hawaiʻi Island – With the temporary pause of SNAP benefits beginning November 1 and the ongoing federal government shutdown creating uncertainty for local families, communities across Hawaiʻi Island are moving quickly to meet the urgent needs of their neighbors. 

Through Aloha In Action, Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s islandwide emergency response effort, 12 community food distribution sites are being activated to ensure residents continue to have access to essential food resources.

With generous support from friends and neighbors in the Kūkiʻo, Kohala Coast, and Waimea communities, along with many others across the island, state, and nation, early efforts will focus on underserved areas where families may feel the greatest impact of this disruption, including North Hawaiʻi, the Hāmākua Coast, and Puna Mauka. Each distribution will include locally sourced produce, proteins, and shelf-stable food, supporting an estimated 1,800 residents during the first three weeks of November.

For residents in other areas of the island, The Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket will conduct ʻOhana Food Drops in Hilo, Pāhoa, Nāʻālehu, Kona, and Waimea. For more information, visit www.hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Registration for the Vibrant Hawaiʻi Aloha In Action distribution opens Thursday, October 30 at 4:00 PM. For registration details, please visit vibranthawaii.org/alohainaction. This project prioritizes households whose SNAP benefits have been paused and federal employees impacted by the government shutdown. Proof of eligibility is required.

Fresh produce and canned good donations are welcome at each distribution site. Visit vibranthawaii.org/alohainaction to see when your local site is accepting donations. Canned goods can also be dropped off at American Savings Bank branches in Hilo, Waimea, and Kailua-Kona to support islandwide distribution efforts.

While coordination is underway, this response depends on community kōkua. Donations are urgently needed to sustain efforts and ensure support reaches those most affected. Every contribution helps.

• To make a financial donation: www.vibranthawaii.org/donate

• To volunteer: bit.ly/alohainaction

• For coordination or partnership inquiries: contact@vibranthawaii.org or vibranthawaii.org

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About Vibrant Hawai‘i

At Vibrant Hawaiʻi, we remove the barriers that make neighbors feel disconnected from their ability to solve the problems that matter most. By creating small, local opportunities to turn ideas into action, we help people rediscover their power to create change and strengthen their communities. 

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:Vibrant HawaiʻiEmail: contact@vibranthawaii.orgWebsite: www.vibranthawaii.org