Demand for assistance is up this year at The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s food bank, and as the holidays approach, needs will continue to grow.
“I can say we are seeing a real increase in need this year,” said Executive Director Kristin Frost Albrecht.
According to Albrecht, the food bank this year received 30% more requests for emergency food compared to 2018.
Albrecht said the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano in lower Puna is the reason for the uptick.
“We think what we’re seeing is really the recovery from the disaster (in 2018),” Albrecht said. “We’re not out of it yet. It’s still really impacting folks.”
The Food Basket helps “a lot of families working two or three jobs, and they’re not able to pay all of their bills at the end of the month,” she said.
The organization also is encountering needs related to childhood hunger.
Albrecht said “… the cost of living keeps increasing, but I think the fact of the disasters last year has made life on Hawaii Island a little more challenging for affordable food than other places in the state.”
As the holidays approach, Albrecht said the Food Basket sees an increase in the community “supporting their neighbors in need,” as well as the number of families seeking assistance.
“The costs go up over the holidays,” she said. “Things are a little stressed. It’s a tough time for a lot of people.”
According to Albrecht, the Food Basket can use “any sort of food” and will welcome any donations people want to provide, but there are a lot of requests for holiday meal items this time of year.
Many families won’t be able to afford a turkey or ham for their holiday meals, she said, so “those items would be really, really welcome.”
Fresh produce also is accepted as long as its clean.
The Food Basket also is seeking keiki-specific items that are nutritious and easy to prepare, including milk, 100% juice, fruit cups, soup, tuna fish in a foil packet, macaroni and cheese, and peanut butter and jelly.
Monetary donations, which can be used to purchase food at a low cost thanks to wholesale contracts with grocery providers, also allow the food bank to purchase items clients might need.
“So people, if they donate to us, their money stretches a long way,” Albrecht said.
Those interested in donating food can drop donations off at The Food Basket warehouses, located at 40 Holomua St. in Hilo or 73-4161 Ulu Wini Place in Kailua-Kona.
Monetary donations can be made online at hawaiifoodbasket.org.
According to Albrecht, donors provide almost 70% of the funds it takes to operate the food bank, “so we are truly a community-directed program.”
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.