More Hawaii families are struggling to afford food, and demand at a local food pantry is climbing fast.

• The Pantry served 1.8 million meals in 2025, a third more than in 2019.
• More than 1,000 households now pick up food every week.
• Rising need is tied to the pandemic, government shutdowns, and hurricanes hitting family budgets.
• The group runs online ordering so families can choose their own food and pick it up quietly, twice a week.
• A handful of paid staff and dozens of volunteers do the work, so donations and volunteer help stretch far.

Outlook: Demand is expected to keep growing, and the organization is stocking up ahead of the next crisis.