NEWS RELEASE

HONOLULU, May 6, 2020 – First Hawaiian Bank (FHB) today announced that the “Aloha for Hawaii” campaign has contributed $50,000 to support the efforts of both The Pantry by Feeding Hawaii Together (the Pantry) and the Kauai Independent Food Bank (Kauai Food Bank) to meet the increasing demand for food as Hawaii’s state lockdown continues into its second month due to COVID-19. The Pantry and Kauai Food Bank will each receive $25,000 from the Aloha for Hawaii Fund, allowing them to provide much needed food assistance to people on Oahu and Kauai. These gifts are the result of another 50,000restaurant takeout and delivery purchases FHB cardholders made in the past week through this initiative that also support Hawaii’s restaurant industry. 

With previous donations to Hawaii Meals on Wheels, The Food Basket – Hawaii Island’s Food Basket, and Maui Food Bank, these gifts bring the Foundation’s total contributions to $150,000 since the Aloha for Hawaii’s campaign began in mid-April. 

With the growing number of Hawaii workers being laid off or furloughed, non-profit agencies focusing on food supply across the state are experiencing exponential increases in demand for food assistance. COVID-19 has made these food supply services especially critical for the vulnerable ALICE individuals/families in Hawaii.  ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income, Constrained, Employed.  

The $25,000 donation from First Hawaiian Bank’s Aloha for Hawaii fund will allow The Pantry by Feeding Hawaii Together to provide sufficient food to 7,500 people for one whole month, giving them a variety of fresh, frozen and dry goods for diversity and nutrition.  The Pantry allows clients to “shop” online and pick up at their warehouse. The Panty also supports the ALICE individuals/families.

"This generous gift from First Hawaiian Bank will enable us to scale our operations to provide additional diverse and nutritious food to those in need. With record unemployment due to COVID-19, we are seeing skyrocketing demand, and this grant will enable us to serve the keiki, kupuna, and newly unemployed during this extremely difficult time and beyond," said Jennine Sullivan, Executive Director of Feeding Hawaii Together.

With their $25,000 donation, Kauai Independent Food Bank the plans to purchase over 15,000 pounds of food which will produce 10,000 meals to be distributed to the people of Kauai.

“On behalf of the Kauai Independent Food Bank (KIFB), we are so grateful to be a recipient from First Hawaiian Bank’s Aloha for Hawaii fund. We are very appreciative for the support especially during this time of uncertainty, as we foresee the need for food that is coming as more time passes and residents remain unemployed.  We will maintain our mission to Educate, Provide Nutritious Food for the Hungry and Respond to Emergencies, and will continue to serve those that are unemployed, homeless, and others in the community that are in need the best way that we can during the entirety of this Pandemic,” said Kelvin Moniz, Executive Director of Kauai Independent Food Bank.

First Hawaiian Bank’s “Aloha for Hawaii” initiative, which launched earlier in April, is a special program that offers support to Hawaii restaurants and provides up to $1 million in donations to the Aloha for Hawaii Fund, which has been established to support non-profits with food supply and health and human service programs for those impacted by COVID-19. FHB’s goal is to generate one million takeout or delivery purchases at restaurants across Hawaii, and it plans to donate up to $1 million to local nonprofits that are standing up food supply and health and human service programs that support those most at risk as a part of this initiative. FHB customers can participate by using any FHB debit or credit card to purchase a takeout or delivery meal in Hawaii, and the Bank will automatically make a donation to the Aloha for Hawaii Fund. For more information, visit fhb.com/aloha.
 
“As our community needs expand due to this pandemic, our $150,000 in donations to date are helping our friends and neighbors who need this now,” said Cameron Nekota, First Hawaiian Bank Foundation President. “With the ‘Aloha for Hawaii’ fund, we are thrilled that everyone is stepping up to help the restaurant industry, so we can continue to make donations to support The Panty and the Kauai Food Bank, organizations on the front line of relief efforts. First Hawaiian Bank is determined to reach our $1 million donation goal to ensure these vital food supply programs and health and human services can be available during this pandemic.”

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