HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0158.030 2024-2026P /s. Council
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From:
Sandra Rivera
Sent:
Monday, June 2, 2025 1:55 PM
To:
Council Testimony
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Subject:
Solid support for Food Security in our County Budget
Attachments:
AAAHongwanji.xlsx
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Aloha County Council Members,
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My name is Sandy Barr Rivera.
I am a Volunteer with the Honokaa Hongwanji's Friday Community meal
program. Our food support program, "Feeding our Keiki and Kupuna"
serves 500 community members every Friday. We started small,in 2019, but through Covid and the
disruptions that arose and continue, we understand the pulse, and need in this community.
More important than a hot meal, are the grocery bags we provide to each family. Beyond a meal, the
groceries distributed each week support our families beyond that meal, throughout the week.
We can do this because we have a caring group of hard working and dedicated volunteers (50 on average
every week) and foundational support from The Food Basket, via both the USDA and their other
procurement programs, Kokua Harvest, the gleaners -also volunteers -.who collect for use what would
have been wasted from our island, and donations from local farmers-B grade and surplus fruits and
vegetables. This is about to change.
The Food Basket is clearly losing its [ink to support from the USDA, just as SNAP benefits are being cut to
those most demonstrably in need. The Food Basket is. our Hongwanji major supplier. They are also a
strong and active supporter of farmers and producers on our island. Pollyana me, I feel this current
Federal situation will eventually correct itself in time, but the need continues now.
The County budget support of our island Food Security will help span the harms of current ill considered
policies; and support its island citizens.
Please recognize the need, and help our group,and others like it, meet it. The well being of our island
population must be maintained.
I mua,
Sandra Barr Rivera
Honoka'a
Honokaa Hongwanji Feeding Program
Comm. No. --
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