Kaiser Permanente donates $10,000 in honor of Nurses Week

Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi announced that it will make donations totaling $10,000 to three vital community organizations working to combat food insecurity. 

Hawaiʻi Foodbank will receive $5,000, and Maui Food Bank and Hawaiʻi Food Basket will each get $2,500.

According to Feeding America, Hawaiʻi ranks second in the nation for food insecurity among children. 

The three food banks distribute goods to underserved communities, but they have experienced a significant decrease in monetary and food donations in recent months, according to the news release.

Kaiser Permanente hopes these donations, made in lieu of gifts to nurses for Nurses Week, will help support each food bank’s programs and services.

“As a healthcare organization, we cannot separate the health of our patients from the food they have access to,” said Kate Roche, chief nurse executive at Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi. “Addressing food insecurity in our community is a critical step in achieving optimal health outcomes for our keiki and all of our communities.”

These donations are the latest in a series of contributions from Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi to help residents throughout the state receive vital support services that impact their overall health. In 2022, Kaiser Permanente dedicated more than $2.2 million through community grants and scholarships to improve health and wellness in Hawaiʻi, the company said.