Fellows mentioned in this story: Amy Miller

From Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

Nearly one in three households in the state experienced food insecurity last year, and in 29% of households with children, at least one child faced food insecurity, according to the Hawaii Foodbank’s 2023 report released Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced earlier this year that children in Hawaii can receive $177 in Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer funds through the federal SUN Bucks grocery benefits program. In comparison, the benefit amount per eligible child on the mainland is $120 this summer.

SUN Bucks will provide $2.5 billion in groceries to an estimated 21 million children nationwide.

“Hawaii is participating in it and we anticipate that it could bring somewhere between $12 to $18 million to the state,” Hawaii Foodbank President and CEO Amy Miller said.

Miller worries about the younger population facing food insecurity because it can lead to physical, cognitive and developmental impairment, resulting in lower academic achievement.

“In households with food insecurity, 29% had children experiencing food insecurity,” Miller said. “Six percent of children didn’t eat for a whole day because there wasn’t enough money for food.”

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