Copyright staradvertiser
A state program to use $100 million in federal funds to help island families with housing and utility assistance resulted in over 9,000 requests for applications and information while library supporters donated canned goods and nonperishable food in response to the ongoing closure of the federal government and reduction in federal SNAP benefits. Monday represented the first day of food donations at 48 of Hawaii’s 51 public libraries, and the Kaimuki library saw “the true aloha of our community,” library spokesperson Cindy McMillan said, quoting the branch manager, who also said “we received several donations almost as soon as we opened.” At Waikiki’s Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, the most popular donated foods were luncheon meat, Ramen--style noodles and Vienna sausages, McMillan said. The food donated to local libraries will be distributed by the Hawai‘i Foodbank, Maui Food Bank, The Food Basket and their partner agencies across the state. The statewide food drive, coordinated by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, has been scheduled to end on Friday. In a statement, Luke said: “In Hawai‘i, we take care of one another — that’s the true spirit of kokua. As families across our state feel the effects of the federal shutdown, we’re asking everyone who can to lend a hand. Every can, every donation, every act of aloha helps feed our families and strengthen our communities.” Amid a series of Hawaii efforts to help needy families and federal employees working without paychecks, Gov. Josh Green last week directed $100 million in federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funding to help with rent and utilities — along with another $250 in state money by Nov. 14 to each of Hawaii’s 161,400 SNAP beneficiaries. The estimated 42 million SNAP recipients across the country had been warned by the Trump administration that the federal government would not provide SNAP benefits during the shutdown, which could set a record for the longest shutdown this week. The current shutdown began Oct. 1 and today would tie the 35-day shutdown that happened during President Donald Trump’s first term over Democrats’ opposition to funding his border wall extension between Mexico. Two federal judges last week ordered the Trump administration to defend its decision to end SNAP disbursements for November after Congressional Democrats said Congress had built in a $5.5 billion SNAP contingency fund to ensure benefits continue. The administration responded in court Monday that it would only cover about half of SNAP benefits this month. Hawaii beneficiaries typically receive $346 a month on their Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, cards. Agriculture Department Undersecretary Patrick Penn on Monday then ordered the nation’s grocers not to offer discounts to SNAP recipients. In Hawaii, island food banks continue to open new food distribution hubs in response to the growing demand from both federal employees and low-income residents as rent, mortgages and other monthly expenses come due this week. The Trump administration presented no timetable on when SNAP payments would resume. At the same time, Hawaii’s approximately 23,000 residents who purchase their health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace were informed last week how much their premiums are expected to increase in 2026. The federal government went dark Oct. 1 over a dispute between Republicans and Democrats over the rising cost of health care across America. Democrats want Republicans to maintain enhanced federal premium tax credits for people who purchase their health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Without the tax credit extension, premiums could double for Hawaii residents who rely on the Affordable Care Act, according to the state Health Department. Between Wednesday and Sunday, Catholic Charities Hawaii sent out 8,549 links to applications for TANF funds and the Maui Economic Opportunity received 866 applications — meaning demand for interest in the TANF program came from 9,415 individuals and families, said Amanda Stevens, spokesperson for Hawaii’s Department of Human Serv-ices, which is overseeing the program. Asked if most of the interest was for housing or utility assistance, Stevens said, “Many families are looking for both housing and utilities.” Also on Monday, the Hawai‘i Foodbank announced new food drive sites this week at: >> Inspire Church at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. today. >> Windward Community College — Hale ‘Akoakoa from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. >> A location to be determined on Thursday. >> Hawaiian Airlines ‘Ohana Hangar off Lagoon Drive from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday. >> And at Ke‘ehi Lagoon Memorial Park at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Households must meet eligibility requirements that include loss of SNAP benefits or loss of wages for federal workers. To register, visit hawaiifoodbank.org/shutdown. The Hawai‘i Foodbank said that food and money “are urgently needed.” To donate or to host a food drive, visit: HawaiiFoodbank.org/donate.
