Every Tuesday at the Lighthouse Outreach Center, a church in Waipahu, volunteers give out food to those who need it and you can’t help but notice that many of the people in line are kupuna.
Some are retired and living on a fixed-pension income and Social Security. But many are still working into their 60s and 70s and the extra food helps them make ends meet.
Norma Anulao, 68, has arthritis and has difficulty walking. Her 68-year-old husband still works, but doesn’t earn that much.
“I need help,” she said. The free food, supplied by the Hawaii Foodbank, means that she and her husband can pay for health care, insurance and rent.
“Kupuna health and hunger is a real issue,” said Ron Mizutani, president of the Hawaii Foodbank. “A lot of those hungry are our kupuna.”
On Sept. 11, the anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attack, has been deemed a National Day of Service. AARP Hawai‘i is observing that day by volunteering to sort donations at the foodbank. We’re asking for your help to fight kupuna hunger and serve others by donating canned goods, rice or money to the Hawaii Foodbank.
“Needs are growing. We have so much more requests,” Mizutani said. “When I go to a distribution point and I see all those seniors in line, it just tugs at my heart.”
The Hawaii Foodbank serves about 287,000 people every year — that’s about 1 in 5 residents. Of the people served — nearly 48,000 are keiki and more than 46,000 are kupuna 60 and older.
“Families live paycheck to paycheck. Hunger is a real issue and it’s not just a homeless issue,” Mizutani added.
Ligaye Vallejos, 73, is a regular at the Lighthouse Outreach Center. She still works as a cleaning lady at the Honolulu Airport, but still needs help to feed her family, including a son and daughter, who live with Vallejos and her husband.
“I see a lot of hungry people,” said Aliitasi Fale, a volunteer at the Lighthouse Outreach Center who organizes the food giveaway. “You see them coming in, and they see the food, and they’re so happy to get it. It makes me feel good. That’s the heart of this ministry — to help people.”
Corazon Madriaga, 71, has lived on a pension and Social Security since retiring from a housekeeping job at the Ilikai Hotel.
She gives away some of the food she picks up to other family members and neighbors. She also uses some food to feed the homeless as part of her church work.
“It’s beautiful,” Fale said. “You see your neighbor who is not able to come. You should help them out.”
“So many of our families in Hawaii feel shame that they have to ask (for food).” Mizutani said. “Nobody should feel shame that they are hungry.”
HUNGER IN HAWAII
1 in 5 — Islanders need food assistance
287,000 — Number of people served by the Hawaii Foodbank
46,000+ — Kupuna served
47,894 — Keiki Served
56% — Choose between paying for food and paying for medicine/medical care
62% — Choose between paying for food and paying for utilities
48% — Choose between paying for food and paying for housing
35% — Client households with a child or kupuna age 60 or older
For more information, visit hawaiifoodbank.org/hunger-in-hawaii.
AARP KUPUNA FOOD DRIVE
Bring canned goods, rice or money to the Hawaii Foodbank warehouse, 2611 Kilihau St., on or before Sept. 11 and let them know it’s for the AARP Food Drive. The warehouse is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can also drop off food year-round at any NAPA Auto Parts store, Ruby Tuesday restaurant or at the Hard Rock Cafe in Waikiki.
SENIOR FOOD BOX
The Hawaii Foodbank works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other volunteer agencies to distribute “senior food boxes” through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
Ron Mizutani, the president of the Hawaii Foodbank, said the program serves about 3,200 Hawaii residents age 60 and older with an income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. A single person making less than $1,467 a month or couple making less than $1,985.75 qualifies for a box of food each month containing items like milk, juice, cereal, canned goods and cheese.
Call the Hawaii Foodbank at 836-3600, ext. 238, for more information. Application forms can be downloaded at 808ne.ws/2NsTqjd.
Barbara Kim Stanton is the state director for AARP Hawai‘i, an organization dedicated to empowering people to choose how they live as they age.
