Kūpuna Food Security Coalition.
ENSURING THAT NO KŪPUNA ARE LEFT HUNGRY OR WITHOUT THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO AGE IN PLACE.
Meets the food needs of all community members, especially kūpuna and other vulnerable populations.
ABOUT US
Originally formed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kūpuna Food Security Coalition (KFSC) brings together a diverse cross sector of non-profit, government, private, and community stakeholders across Oʻahu to collectively address the food needs of older adults. As a coalition, we seek opportunities to synergize existing resources through innovative community partnerships. We strive to support impactful and sustainable solutions that provide food and wraparound services to our kūpuna who need it most.
Our vision is a sustainable, equitable food system that:
LATEST REPORTS & MEDIA
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Meals were prepared with nutrition and quality in mind, like this meal prepared by Lunalilo Home.
Show Aloha Challenge connected with other KFSC partners like Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels and St. Francis Healthcare System to get meals to kūpuna.
In addition to meals, bundles of fresh produce and other foods were prepared and distributed to kūpuna across the island by KFSC partners like Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies.
KFSC partner, Chef Hui, leveraged their relationships with the community to keep chefs working, local farmers farming, and vulnerable kūpuna fed.
Within one week of the coalition’s formation, The Salvation Army mobilized staff, volunteers, and a network of churches to prepare and deliver thousands of meals each week.
Volunteers not only delivered much needed meals, but also provided reprieve from social isolation and loneliness experienced by many kūpuna during stay-at-home orders. Photo by Show Aloha Challenge.
Rain or shine, volunteers mobilized by the KFSC delivered meals to kūpuna across Oʻahu. For some kūpuna, this would be their only guaranteed meal for the day. Photo by Show Aloha Challenge.
Up to 8,262 Oʻahu kūpuna received meal delivery each week. Photo by Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels.
KŪPUNA AT RISK
There are more than 300,000 kūpuna living in Hawaiʻi and more than 57,000 of our kūpuna are estimated to live alone. For kūpuna living in isolation, with physical limitations, or with chronic illness, inability to regularly shop can reduce access to consistent, nutritious meals. Food service providers help meet this need by providing free or subsidized meals to kūpuna; however, these providers may not be able to reach every individual need due to geographical restrictions and limited capacity. Additionally, homebound seniors may require specialized meals, or have additional needs that are not addressed by traditional meal delivery services. As a result, service providers across sectors are coordinating efforts to provide referrals and wraparound service to kūpuna at risk. The KFSC works to augment these services by creating space for innovation, collaboration, and reflection.
The KFSC works continuously to expand a network of partners committed to ensuring the food security of kūpuna and strengthening coordination of kūpuna services across Oʻahu. As of November 2020, over 40 organizations have joined the coalition, collectively providing over 1.2 million meals and 30,000 health and wellness checks since March and serving up to 8,000 kūpuna each week. The coalition helps to provide:
WHAT WILL MY DONATIONS FUND?
COALITION MEMBERS
(Additional partners have deferred recognition and have asked to remain anonymous).
