Liliʻuokalani Trust Contributes $100,000 Matching Grant to Hawaii Foodbank Partner Agencies Statewide

HONOLULU / APRIL 16, 2020 – Liliʻuokalani Trust (LT) announced a matching contribution of $100,000 for the purchase and distribution of food to support vulnerable Native Hawaiian youth and their families in rural areas throughout Hawaiʻi. 

Providing food for about 500,000 meals, the $200,000 matching grant initiative is in partnership with the Hawaii Foodbank serving Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, The Food Basket serving Hawaiʻi County, and the Maui Food Bank serving Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi islands.

“Now more than ever, families need access to basic food items. The initiative will direct these goods deeper into vulnerable communities and to those who are unable to pay market rate,” said Dawn Harflinger, executive vice president and chief operating officer.

“LT is proud to partner with the Hawaii Foodbank and its affiliates throughout Hawaiʻi.  We encourage and appeal to other organizations and individuals to match the grant to maximize its impact. Now is the time,” Harflinger said.

The donations to Hawaiʻi Foodbank and its neighbor island partners will purchase canned meals, canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables – all basic food staple items that have diminished availability through a donation stream – and distribute them to vulnerable populations in rural areas where these items are less available and in greater need.

About Liliʻuokalani Trust

Liliʻuokalani Trust was established in 1909 by Hawaiʻi’s last ruling monarch, the beloved Queen Liliʻuokalani. Her Deed of Trust directs that the Queen’s assets be utilized to serve and provide for orphan and destitute Hawaiian children in perpetuity. With its vision of “e nā kamalei lupalupa, thriving Hawaiian children,” LT believes that every child has the inner strength and self determination to discover their path to a thriving life, and strives to transform lives.