Food Bank Feeds Families

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  Wai'anae, Hawai'i
  November 1st, 2013 - Wai'anae, Hawaii
  
  
  
  “I would say we serve about 1000 to 2000 families a month."
  
  The Honolulu Community Action Program of the Leeward District provides support for the citizens of Wai`anae. The organization’s philosophy is all about self support.
  
  “Cause everybody needs some kind of safety net in terms of what they need,” Head Manager of Leeward H.C.A.P, Val Taiva explains.
  
  Not only is there the food event, that can help Wai`anae citizens. But also things like helping with taxes, getting an idea for better education and qualifying for bill credits.
  
  In a month, they host different local events that low-income citizens of the Wai`anae coast can benefit from now and in the future. One event in particular, is the distribution of food which is a common issue for residents which is sponsored by the Hawaii Food Bank.
  
  The Hawaii Food Bank is a nonprofit agency that collects, categorizes and stores perishable and nonperishable foods. Their mission is to serve and help the people of Hawaii, as they see everyone as one ohana and provide food to keep the ohana satisfied and never hungry.
  
  It’s through the different charitable organizations, where the Hawaii Food Bank helps to sponsor food. One of the many 250 member agencies is H.C.A.P, where the event is hosted at Wai`anae Boat Harbor on the last two Tuesdays.
  
  “Cause a lot of times food stamps don't really last the whole month and depends on what size your family is. So a lot of folks actually need food in Wai`anae,” Taiva explained.
  
  “From the food I have money to pay the bills,” Sose Sosene said.
  
  That is where the truth of Wai`anae’s poverty rate comes in line. Statistics from www.hawaii-demographics.com states in 2011, the percentage of poverty residents from Wai`anae is 15.6% compared to the rest of island. With that percentage being below, families from Wai`anae show a great turn out during the food events, thanks to the sponsor of Hawaii Food Bank each month. H.C.A.P doesn’t stop there as they want to keep helping people with getting their life on track.
  
  “We do a lot of holiday projects, so its holidays coming up we do a lot of christmas projects for the homeless, for families in need,” Taiva informs.
  
  The H.C.A.P won’t be stopping soon, as they been going on for 45 years and counting. With the start back in the 60s with the war in poverty.
  
  In all, the Honolulu Community Action Program of the Leeward District gives the citizens of Wai`anae a chance hope taken for the better life.
  
  “I’m happy, I’m happy with what I get, I appreciate what food I get,” Sosene said.

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looking back

I really enjoyed doing this news story and it was something that I could kinda relate to.


Jason Jacobs, Photographer

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This story opened up my eyes, I never thought this was something that families actually struggled for.





Delilah Rountree, Reporter

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