Kūpuna Food Security Coalition.

HELPING TO FEED HAWAII’S HUNGRY KŪPUNA BY FOSTERING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN DONORS, PROGRAMS, VOLUNTEERS, AND OLDER ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

ABOUT US

OUR GOALS
In this unprecedented time of need, a group of non-profit, government, for profit, and academic organizations have come to together to form the Kūpuna Food Security Coalition. The Coalition seeks opportunities to bridge communities, organizations, and individuals together with a collective goal to put meals into the hands of our kūpuna, who need it most.
KŪPUNA AT RISK
Physical distancing is necessary right now, but it also raises the risk of hunger, loneliness and social isolation. Our kūpuna are at particular risk because congregate meal sites, senior centers, and adult day centers have shut down during this pandemic. Kūpuna with physical limitations may also have difficulty grocery shopping and cooking; those with chronic conditions have an increased risk of health complications related to COVID-19.
HOW WE’RE TAKING ACTION
The Kūpuna Food Security Coalition was formed in response to this need. It estimates that there are more than 66,000 kūpuna in poverty or are working poor. Lanakila Meals on Wheels estimates that before the pandemic, 44,000 or 1 in 6 kūpuna faced hunger every day. Since the start of stay at home orders, Coalition partners have served meals to more than 6,000 kūpuna! We need your help to get more meals to those in need.

KHON2 hosted a telethon to benefit the Coalition. May 1, 2020, 5:00 – 10:00AM and 4:00 -8:00PM.

We are still accepting donations, donate now below!

DONATE NOW

WHAT WILL MY DONATIONS FUND?

DIRECT TO ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING KŪPUNA
Donations will go to nonprofit and other community organizations that are directly supporting efforts to put meals into the hands of vulnerable kūpuna including those with limited family support, health limitations, and economically challenged.
The coalition has 22 members and counting from the non-profit, government agencies, private sector, and academia, all mobilized to provide meals to our kūpuna who are vulnerable and food insecure.
HOW DO WE DETERMINE NEED?
Two sources of data are being used to identify zip codes with households in greatest need for meals: 1) U.S. Census and 2) Aloha United Way data on Hawaiʻi households who are asset limited, income constrained, and employed (ALICE). Data will support the coalition’s priority setting and resource distribution.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED OR REQUEST HELP?

KŪPUNA FOOD AVAILABLE
To view and request food opportunities, visit Kanu Hawaiiʻs website.
KŪPUNA DELIVERY SERVICES
Kūpuna Kokua offers free restaurant and grocery delivery for kūpuna and people with health risks >> Learn More.
Help Is On The Way provides free delivery services for kūpuna, healthcare workers, families and high risk individuals >> Learn More.
VOLUNTEER FOR KŪPUNA
To volunteer for kūpuna, visit Kanu Hawaiiʻs COVID-19 Volunteer Website and search for “kupuna”.

COALITION MEMBERS

Service Providers

Also includes Alu Like, Inc., Help Is On The Way, Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels, Keiki to Kūpuna Foundation, Waikīkī Community Center.

Coordination and Support

Also includes American Savings Bank, Kaiser Foundation.

CONTACT US

If you would like to join the coalition or donate money or food to this effort, please use the form below or contact Jackie Boland, Coalition Coordinator, at kupunafood@gmail.com or (808) 545-6003.

Mahalo to AlohaTone for providing telecommunications systems, and KHON2 for acting as broadcast partner for the Kūpuna Food Security Coalition.