Kaiser Permanente grants $100,000 to local food banks.
HONOLULU — Kaiser Permanente is spreading a little holiday cheer and helping to feed Hawaii families. The health care organization has awarded a total of $100,000 in community health grants to Maui Food Bank and Hawaii Foodbank. The grants will help support the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program’s new Farm to Food Bank program.
Through the Farm to Food Bank program, food banks become customers of last resort for farmers who have crops to harvest but no buyers. Instead of plowing the crops under, farmers will be able to bring their crops to harvest and food banks will pay for the associated labor, processing, and packaging costs. The Maui Food Bank Fresh 4 All and the Hawaii Foodbank’s Kupuna Fresh programs will deliver farm-direct produce to underserved families in the community while supporting local farmers and strengthening Hawaii’s food supply. Over 10,000 residents are estimated to benefit from the produce that might otherwise be wasted.
“During this season of giving, we’re honored to extend our care to the communities that need it most,” said John Yang, MD, president and medical director, Hawaii Permanente Medical Group. “Our hope is that these grants to the Maui and Hawaii food banks will help ensure that no local families go hungry and will provide resources to help sustain Hawaii’s farmers and food supply.”
Kaiser Permanente is working to improve the conditions for health in the communities it serves. These grants are the latest in a series of contributions from Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii to help residents throughout the state receive vital support services that impact their overall health. Thus far in 2022, Kaiser Permanente has dedicated over $2.2 million through community grants and scholarships to improve health and wellness in Hawaii.
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.