‘What aloha in action looks like’: Vibrant Hawaiʻi mobilizing to lessen impact of SNAP suspension

Hawaiʻi Island is bracing for a pause of benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP and more commonly known as food stamps, beginning Nov. 1 because of the ongoing shutdown of the federal government.

The shutdown is also affecting community members around the island employed by the federal government who might have been furloughed or aren’t getting paid.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s Resilience Network is mobilizing to respond and lessen the impact of any length of pause in SNAP benefits will have on families and ensure support reaches those most in need.

“This is what aloha in action looks like,” said Vibrant Hawaiʻi Chief Executive Officer Janice Ikeda in an announcement about the organization’s mobilization. “When challenges arise, our community rises with care and collaboration. We know how to take care of one another, and this is a time when we need everyone’s kōkua.”

The Resilience Network — consisting of Vibrant Hawaiʻi Resilience Hubs, Points of Distribution partners, Social Service Navigators and members of the Resilience Alliance — launched an islandwide response to coordinate food and financial support.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi is helping align efforts, fill gaps and reach every island community by identifying where and when resources will be available.

Initial efforts will focus on underserved areas, where families could experience greater impacts from a SNAP disruption.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi is purchasing locally sourced produce, proteins and shelf-stable food to serve about 1,800 residents during the first 3 weeks of November.

Social Service Navigators at the same time are expanding their outreach to assist residents applying for the state-funded rental assistance program.

The Resilience Network — working alongside community health workers and frontline providers — plans to host an islandwide training event to help ensure families in financial distress have quick access to assistance.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi is also launching a centralized online resource hub to help the island stay informed.

The page will provide updates about food distributions, financial aid and community-led resources, offering a single, reliable islandwide source of information.

Coordination is underway; however, THE EFFORT DEPENDS ON COMMUNITY KŌKUA, OR ASSISTANCE.

Donations are urgently needed to sustain response efforts and ensure support reaches those most affected. Every contribution strengthens the island’s collective capacity to care for one another.

Visit the Vibrant Hawaiʻi website to make a financial donation.

You can also sign up to volunteer here to help.

Email to contact@vibranthawaii.org or visit the Vibrant Hawaiʻi website for coordination or partnership inquiries.

Hawai‘i Department of Human Services also continues to closely monitor the federal government shutdown and its impact on SNAP.

U.S. Department of Agriculture provided notice earlier this week that SNAP benefits for November — as of now — are suspended effective Nov. 1.

Nearly 85,000 households — or more than 165,000 people — receive the benefits, which provide low-income families with funds to afford food essential for their health and well-being.

The state Human Services Department on Oct. 29 will share additional information about the Hawai‘i Relief Program, which will provide eligible families with dependent children the opportunity to receive payment support for housing or utilities.

“We understand that this uncertainty can be stressful,” said the department in its announcement. “[Department of Human Services] is committed to sharing timely updates and ensuring every household receives clear information as soon as it becomes available from the [U.S. Department of Agriculture’s] Food and Nutrition Service.”