Hawaii Island Food Basket, the island’s only food bank, has three food distributions set for this week:

Naalehu | Naalehu Hongwanji Temple | Tuesday, October 13 | 10am

Hilo | Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium | Wednesday, October 14 | 10am

Waikoloa | Kamakoa Nui Skate Park | Friday, October 16 | 10am

Kristin Frost Albrecht, Director of the Hawaii Island Food Basket, says demand has skyrocketed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.   The organization is now purchasing around $400,000 worth of food every month, which is what the Food Basket used to spend in around 6 months.  Generally the organization has also benefited from getting direct food donations of canned and nonperishable foods from the public, but because of COVID-19, they are no longer accepting food donations from individuals.  The Food Basket is welcoming donations from farms and meat producers and commercial entities.

To make a donation, click here for the Hawaii Island Food Basket website and information about donating online, or by cash or check.  The Food Basket also is accepting food from commercial entities; for more information about that, call 808-933-6030.