According to the Maui Food Bank, Hawaii holds the second highest rate of child food insecurity in the country.

Here on Maui specifically, one in four keiki experience food scarcity.

Launched to help families during the COVID-19 pandemic, a USDA waiver program that allowed schools to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students ended this past summer.

“This has left a gap this school year for many families whose expenses have gone up due to inflation but do not qualify for other assistance,” Maui Food Bank explained in its winter 2023 newsletter.

“It’s important to note that hunger doesn’t affect everyone equally — our keiki face hunger at much higher rates than the rest of the population.”

To meet this crucial need, Maui Food Bank offers the Aloha BackPack Buddies program.

During the school year, 27 Maui County Schools receive backpacks filled with six meals to carry students through the weekend when school is closed and they don’t have access to free and reduced-cost meals.

Donations can help Maui County youth living in food-insecure homes. Contact Maui Food Bank at (808) 243-9500 if you are interested in getting involved.