Hawaiʻi Foodbank and state launch 27th annual State Employees’ Food and Fund Drive

State of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Foodbank, in partnership with University of Hawaiʻi and public sector unions, officially launched this week the 27th annual State Employees’ Food and Fund Drive.

State employees have supported the drive since 1999, collecting food and raising funds for Hawaiʻi Foodbank and its statewide affiliates.

The annual drive runs through May 8.

“I am honored to chair the 27th annual State Employees’ Food and Fund Drive and humbled to join fellow state employees to support Hawaiʻi Foodbank,” said Hawaiʻi Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke in announcing this year’s drive kickoff. “In my fourth year serving as chair of this important drive, I continue to admire the spirit, dedication and generosity of our state employees’ commitment to bettering our community.”

The Hawaiʻi Foodbank Hui recently released the 2024-25 Food Insecurity Report highlighting continued need for food assistance throughout the islands.

Data collected for the report shows nearly 1 in 3 Hawaiʻi households struggles with having enough food.

This year’s State Employees’ Food and Fund Drive aims to raise the equivalent of 400,000 meals to help ensure families throughout the state have access to nutritious food.

“Food insecurity remains a serious challenge for many households across Hawaiʻi,” said Hawaiʻi Foodbank President and Chief Executive Officer Amy Miller in the drive kickoff announcement. “We must be willing to talk openly about it to truly understand how it affects our families, kūpuna and keiki.”

In addition to launching this year’s drive, Luke announced a new opportunity for state employees to support Hawaiʻi Foodbank through voluntary payroll deductions, making it easier to contribute year-round.

“As we know, state employees are the backbone of Hawaiʻi and help keep our state running,” said Executive Director of Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association and President of Hawaiʻi State AFL-CIO Randy Perreira. “State employees consistently step up to support their communities, and we encourage our members who are able to continue supporting Hawai‘i Foodbank not only during the annual State Employees’ Food and Fund Drive but also through year-round charitable giving through voluntary payroll deductions.”

State Director of United Public Workers Kalani Werner said “many of us have seen food insecurity firsthand or through family members, friends or neighbors.”

“It is important that people know support is available and that our members stand with them,” Werner added.

The 2024-225 Food Insecurity Report also found more than half of young adults ages 18 to 29 years old experience not having enough food, including 58% of those now enrolled in higher education.

“With many food insecure individuals being young adults, particularly those enrolled in higher education, it is crucial for the University of Hawaiʻi to continue its support of the Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s mission,” said University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel in the kickoff announcement. “[University of Hawaiʻi] proudly partners with the Hawaiʻi Foodbank to address food insecurity through our campus Food Pantries and the Hawaiʻi Food Vault, which serves students in need.”

Furthermore, the report found 1 in 3 children experienced not having enough food in 2024–25, and 1 in 10 lived in households where at least one child experienced hunger.

Funds raised through the drive will support Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s daily operations and programs, including school and summer food programs.

“Like many students across the state, I benefited from housing and food assistance programs growing up and understand firsthand what it means to experience food insecurity,” said Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association President Osa Tui Jr. in the kickoff announcement. “As educators and caretakers of Hawaiʻi’s keiki, our members know how critical food security is for student success.”

Tui added the annual State Employees’ Food and Fund Drive helps provide immediate relief while supporting the long-term goal of ensuring every child and family in Hawaiʻi has access to food.

“When our community comes together to host food and fund drives and raise awareness, we help break down the stigma and remind people that Hawaiʻi Foodbank is here for everyone,” Miller said.

Visit the Hawaiʻi Foodbank website for additional information about the organization and its affiliates throughout the islands.