Tag Archive for: Maui Charity

Maui Non-Profits in a Time of Crisis

October 22, 2024/in Perspectives/by HHH - News Writer

The Power of Charity Organizations: Grassroots Growth in Times of Crisis

Charity organizations are the backbone of thriving communities, stepping in during times of crisis when needs are greatest.
Grassroots efforts often begin with small groups of passionate individuals responding to an immediate need. Over time, these initiatives grow, fueled by partnerships, volunteers, and a shared commitment to make a difference. The Maui wildfires are a powerful reminder of how essential these organizations are in times of disaster.

Though each nonprofit may have a unique mission, we are all united by a common purpose: to serve our communities, uplift humanity, and build a more resilient future. At Hungry Heroes Hawaii (HHH), we believe that when the basic human needs—food, water, and shelter—are met, individuals are empowered to align with their inherent genius, fostering a culture that thrives organically. Our work is guided by the spirit of Aloha ʻĀina (love for the land), and we are committed to nurturing meaningful connections between people, place, and purpose.

Grassroots organizations thrive through collaboration, adaptability, and shared responsibility. As needs evolve, organizations like HHH continuously re-evaluate and reorganize to stay effective and aligned with community needs.

Together, through our collective efforts, we embody resilience, generosity, and hope for a better tomorrow.

: Man standing near fire during night time

Nonprofits Leading the Maui Wildfire Response

Common Ground Collective (CGC)

Slogan: “Building community through sustainability and resilience.”
Mission: Partnering with local farmers to promote food security and sustainable farming.
Website: Visit CGC

Maui Rapid Response (MRR)

Slogan: “Immediate action for immediate need.”
Mission: Mobilizing volunteers and resources for swift disaster relief.
Website: Visit MRR

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)

Slogan: “Providing immediate disaster relief, sustainable development, and empowerment.”
Mission: GEM focuses on offering rapid response and sustainable aid during emergencies while also promoting long-term recovery initiatives. Their efforts extend across the globe, helping communities rebuild and restore resilience in the wake of disasters.
Website: Visit Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)

Maui Food Bank

Slogan: “No one in Maui should go hungry.”
Mission: Distributing emergency food supplies to those in need.
Website: Visit Maui Food Bank

World Central Kitchen (WCK)

Slogan: “Wherever there’s a fight so hungry people may eat, we will be there.”
Mission: WCK uses the power of food to provide meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. They work on the frontlines to serve warm meals to people affected by disasters and promote food resilience in vulnerable areas. Their presence in Maui following the wildfires brought hope and nourishment to thousands.
Website: Visit World Central Kitchen (WCK)

All Hands and Hearts

Slogan: “Responding to today’s disasters, building resilience for tomorrow.”
Mission: Volunteer-powered rebuilding efforts in disaster zones.
Website: Visit All Hands and Hearts

Maui Rescue Mission

Slogan: “Rescue, restore, rebuild.”
Mission: Providing shelter and care to those experiencing homelessness.
Website: Visit Maui Rescue Mission

Hawaiian Community Foundation

Slogan: “Empowering the spirit of aloha.”
Mission: Offering grants and support to Maui residents and programs.
Website: Visit Hawaiian Community Foundation

Hua Momona

Mission: Promoting sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty.
Website: Visit Hua Momona

Maui United Way

Slogan: “Live united.”
Mission: Mobilizing resources to create lasting community change.
Website: Visit Maui United Way

Help Maui Rise

Mission: Supporting long-term recovery and resilience initiatives.
Website: Visit Help Maui Rise

Lahaina Strong

Mission: Supporting residents in rebuilding Lahaina after the wildfires.
Website: Visit Lahaina Strong

Brown Cross Hui

Mission: Offering direct relief and essential supplies during disaster recovery efforts.
Website: Visit Brown Cross Hui

Pacific Birth Collective

Mission: Supporting women and families through birth, postpartum, and parenting education.
Website: Visit Pacific Birth Collective

Napili Noho

Mission: Providing relief to displaced residents of Napili and beyond.
Website: Visit Napili Noho

KaKo’o Distribution Center

Mission: Distributing supplies and essential goods to affected Maui residents.
Website: KaKo’o Distribution

Feed My Sheep

Mission: Delivering food and care to those experiencing hunger across Maui.
Website: Visit Feed My Sheep

Kimokeo Foundation

Mission: Promoting Hawaiian culture, education, and conservation initiatives.
Website: Visit Kimokeo Foundation

Chef Hui

Mission: Our mission is to create opportunities to connect the culinary world with their community through a strong network of local chefs and produce providers.
Website: Visit Chef Hui

Other Impactful Maui Nonprofits

Imua Family Services

Mission: Empowering children and families through education and therapeutic programs.
Website: Visit Imua Family Services

Women Helping Women

Mission: Supporting survivors of domestic violence through advocacy and services.
Website: Visit Women Helping Women

Maui Humane Society

Mission: Promoting animal welfare and caring for animals in need.
Website: Visit Maui Humane Society

Hospice Maui

Mission: Providing compassionate end-of-life care.
Website: Visit Hospice Maui

Pacific Whale Foundation

Mission: Promoting ocean conservation and marine education.
Website: Visit Pacific Whale Foundation

Hawai’i Farmers Union United

Mission: Advocating for sustainable farming practices and agricultural education.
Website: Visit Hawai’i Farmers Union United

Hawai’i Land Trust

Mission: Protecting and conserving Hawai’i’s natural landscapes.
Website: Visit Hawai’i Land Trust

Mahalo to these organizations and countless volunteers for their dedication to serving the Maui community and embodying the spirit of aloha.

News: October Newsletter ↯

September 30, 2024/in News/by HHH - News Writer

Aloha

This month, we’re excited to share updates about our new kitchen, our partnership with Happy Opu, and how you can support our work as we expand to serve more of our community. As we settle into our new home, our mission as a Maui Non-Profit Organization to nourish and uplift Maui continues to grow.

Here’s what’s been happening at Hungry Heroes Hawaii:

Impact Since August 2023 Fires

Produce Distributed: Since August 2023, we’ve delivered over 178,158 pounds of fresh, locally sourced produce, equating to 356,316 meals for community members in need.

Meals from Our Kitchen and Partner Kitchens: Through partnerships with Hua Momona, Niu Life Kitchen, and Story Cafe, we’ve prepared and served 100,033 meals. A huge mahalo to our kitchen teams and partners!

Moving Into Our New Kitchen!

We are thrilled to announce that we’ve officially moved into our new kitchen space! After a year of rapid growth, this location provides an open prep area and a full commercial kitchen, allowing us to continue nourishing the Maui community. We’re grateful to Anuhea Chapel for their partnership and excited for this new chapter with Happy Opu, whose mission of health and wellness complements our work.

Stay tuned for more details about our collaboration with Happy Opu!

Help Us Outfit Our New Space

To maximize efficiency in our new kitchen, we need additional equipment, including a larger refrigerator for fresh produce. Please support us by contributing to our updated Amazon Wish List.

Or support us directly through GiveButter.

Lahaina is in the Heart: Supporting the Filipino Community

At a recent meeting hosted by Kaiser Permanente, challenges facing the Filipino community after the wildfires were highlighted, including displacement, food insecurity, mental health issues, and limited access to federal aid. Language barriers and the need for culturally appropriate food further complicate these challenges. We are committed to working with local organizations to address these needs.

Shoutout to Pohaku Park: A Refuge for the Westside Community

Since August 2023, Pohaku Park has provided essential support to the Westside community. Run entirely by volunteers, this hub ensures access to fresh produce and other essentials for those affected by the fires. We are grateful for the dedication and heart these volunteers bring to the community.

Thank You for Your Continued Support!

Your contributions—whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word—are the foundation of our mission. As we settle into this new chapter, we are filled with gratitude for the community that makes all of this possible.

Mahalo nui loa,
Sara Yamtich & the HHH Team

News: August Updates

August 5, 2024/in News/by HHH - News Writer

As we close a month marked by the somber anniversary of last year’s wildfires, our resolve to nourish and heal Maui intensifies. August has been a period of deep reflection, a celebration of new beginnings, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability and resilience.

NOTE: As of September 12th, 2024 we have closed our Anuhea Chapel Location. We have opened a new Central Maui Kitchen in Kahului. Stay tuned for more updates!

Inside Happy Opu
60 E Wakea Ave
Unit 101
Kahului, HI 96732

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DVwgBfF2prk1hB9YA

Here’s a snapshot of our impact since the fires in August 2023:

Produce Distributed: We have distributed over 144,416 lbs of produce! This comes to 288,832 meals delivered since the fires to those who need it.
Financial Investment: We’ve invested $524,397 in procuring and distributing produce and meals from our partners, underlining the critical support needed to maintain our efforts.
Meals from Partner Kitchens: Our kitchen efforts have resulted in 99,833 meals prepared and served to those in need. Partner kitchens include Niu Life, Papis Ohana, Anuhea Chapel, and Hua Momona. (Huge mahalo to our partners!)

New Website Launch

We’re thrilled to unveil the newly redesigned Hungry Heroes Hawaii website, crafted with care and expertise by co-founder and visionary, Naim Ferguson. Embodying our ethos, “Feed Hope & Nourish Maui, From Farm to Hungry, with Love!” the website serves as a vibrant portal for connection and engagement. This dynamic platform details our history and philosophical foundations, featuring a timeline that traces HHH’s journey from its roots to its current expansive impact.

It includes heartfelt insights from our Executive Director Rachel Tarver in a personal letter, echoing our commitment to the community’s foundational needs and the spirit of Aloha ‘Āina. Explore comprehensive sections dedicated to our purpose, partnerships, and the numerous ways you can support our mission—whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word. Each page is infused with the depth and history that define HHH, making it a valuable resource for both locals and supporters afar.

Dive into our digital world where community care and sustainability intersect, and see how we’re turning compassion into action. Visit our new website and join us in nourishing bodies and souls across Maui. https://hhhmaui.org/

Empowering Our Team with MEO Support

We are thrilled to share a significant advancement in our workforce development, made possible by Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO). Through their invaluable support, HHH has been able to bring ten dedicated individuals onto our team. These hires are more than staff; they are vital members of our community who now enjoy greater economic stability as they contribute directly to our mission. This partnership with MEO not only enhances our operational capacity but also enriches the lives of those who work with us, allowing us to extend our reach and deepen our impact across Maui.

Each team member’s role is critical in delivering the essential services that define our commitment to nourishing and supporting our community. We are grateful to MEO for their role in this transformative collaboration, which underscores the power of local alliances in fostering sustainable community development. Reflecting on a Year Since the Wildfires This month marked the anniversary of the August 8th, 2023 wildfires, a day that deeply affected our community and landscape. As we honor this day, we invite everyone to reflect on the resilience of the land and our community.

This is a time to support each other, engage in stewardship, and transform our grief into proactive change for a sustainable future. If you’ve felt the call to do more, now is your chance to help us move from crisis response to long-term resilience. Every little bit helps. Consider setting up a recurring donation through GiveButter. Even $10 a month can make a huge difference in sustaining our programs. Set up your donation here. And if you’re on Maui for a day or a lifetime, your hands and heart can help nourish and uplift those in need. Join our ʻohana of volunteers! Learn more and sign up here.

We are thrilled to share some inspiring news from our Executive Director, Rachel, about our latest collaboration with Kaiser Permanente! As new grantees of Kaiser’s community programs, we are immensely grateful for their commitment to healing and wellness.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in our mission, aligning with our goals of recovery and resilience. Kaiser’s support is not just a gesture of faith in our work but a crucial aid in these challenging times. We look forward to the dynamic advancements this partnership will bring to our programs and the broader Maui community.

Stay tuned as we unfold the impactful initiatives born from this exciting collaboration!

Partnership Spotlight: Maui Rescue Mission

This August, we are excited to announce our new partnership with Maui Rescue Mission (MRM), a vital resource dedicated to serving Maui’s houseless community. Every week, Hungry Heroes Hawaii delivers nourishing meals to MRM, ensuring that individuals seeking their services also receive a healthy meal. Maui Rescue Mission is committed to offering essential support and hope, providing services such as safe shower facilities, email access, free counseling, and more.

They are a sanctuary for those who have fallen through the cracks, facing challenges like substance abuse, mental health issues, and chronic illnesses. Together with MRM, we’re not just feeding bodies; we’re nourishing spirits and reinforcing a network of care that uplifts and empowers.

Learn more about their impactful work and how they’re making a difference at Maui Rescue Mission. This collaboration represents our shared dedication to healing and supporting our community, emphasizing that together, we can provide more than just meals—we can offer hope and transformation. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Your support, whether through time, donations, or spreading the word, is invaluable. Together, we are making a difference. Every donation, every hour volunteered, and every word of support contributes to the strength and resilience of our community. We are immensely grateful for your continued partnership in our mission. Warmest aloha, Sara Yamtich & the HHH Team