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OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“May the Risen Christ, who flung open the doors of the tomb, open our hearts to the needs of the disadvantaged, the vulnerable, the poor, the sick, the unemployed, the marginalized, and all those who knock at our door in search of bread, refuge and the recognition of dignity.” (Pope Francis Easter 2020)
When the Apostles recognized the Risen Lord in the “breaking of the bread” that First Easter, they witnessed a true miracle that continues today in this pandemic crisis. We marvel at the multiple miracles happening all around us — as parishioners rally with community groups to “open their hearts” to those “in search of bread, refuge and the recognition of dignity.”
With thousands of local residents out of work, many families are struggling to pay for basic needs such as shelter, medical care and food. The images of cars lining up for weekly meal distributions are a sign of the tremendous vulnerability people are experiencing amid the COVID-19 crisis. Yet emerging is an inspiring scene of hope as the statewide community comes together as One Ohana sharing the abundance of aloha that still exists in these trying times.
It is inspiring to see every county government across the state mobilizing and partnering with local philanthropies, food banks, food baskets, meals on wheels and a wide range of faith-based organizations to distribute healthy food and meals to kupuna, families and the homeless suffering from food insecurity. Hundreds of volunteers show up with hope and heart, while working hard to meet “social distancing” and other safety requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is amazing to witness Jesus in the miracles of sacrifice and sharing happening among us.
The Office for Social Ministry (OSM) has been communicating through the Hawaii Catholic Herald, the diocesan eNews and OSM email blasts to pastors and parish outreach ministers to provide updates on food distribution events large and small. Other alerts include the Department of Education Grab-and-Go Meals on all islands and other free meal programs for students up to age 18.
For listings of Food Bank member agencies, go to the following sites:
- Kauai County: hawaiifoodbank.org/kauai
- Honolulu County: hawaiifoodbank.org/emergency-assistance
- Maui County: mauifoodbank.org/food-distribution-sites
- Hawai’i County: hawaiifoodbasket.org
Families experiencing food insecurity due to job loss or shortened work hours may be eligible for government assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. Apply online at humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/files/2020/03/SNAP_Application_2019-form-fillable-3-23-20-final-1.pdf.
A partnership of Honolulu County, the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Bank of Hawaii Foundation is funding several large events across Oahu distributing food to at least 4,000 families at each event. Two events will be held each week during the month of May. Dates and times are posted on the Hawaii Foodbank website one day prior to manage overcrowding and traffic snarls (hawaiifoodbank.org/covid-19).
Oahu parishes are encouraged to check the Foodbank’s website daily and to post the distribution details on the parish website or Facebook page, or to inform people through an email/text/Messenger blast.
The Office for Social Ministry is emailing pastors, parish office managers and pantry coordinators as the information is released. For more, go to officeforsocialministry.org/covid-19.
These efforts have reinforced cooperation among diocesan organizations and community partners. For example, Catholic Charities Hawaii received an offer from Catholic Charities USA about resources donated by the Mormon Church for Hawaii distribution. Through the Office for Social Ministry, Catholic Charities USA connected with the Kupuna Needs Project (a diocese-sponsored effort engaging volunteers from Oahu parishes) to deliver these donated, non-perishable foods to kupuna, helping them remain sheltered to prevent spread of the virus. For more information, visit kupunaneeds.org.
Both Catholic Charites Hawaii and HOPE Services Hawaii are diocese-affiliated agencies with special programs providing rent and utility assistance from the Resilience Fund from local philanthropy. For more information please visit catholiccharitieshawaii.org and hopeserviceshawaii.org or call the number listed for your county:
- Kauai: Catholic Charities Hawaii, 241-4673
- Oahu: Catholic Charities Hawaii, 521-4357
- Maui County: Catholic Charities Hawaii, 873-4673
- Hawaii Island: HOPE Services Hawaii, 935-3050
“We are all in this together” continues to be a major theme of the times. It is inspiring to see how our community is responding as One Ohana. May we continue to witness to Jesus the Risen Christ by opening our hearts and hands “to the needs of the disadvantaged, the vulnerable, the poor, the sick, the unemployed, the marginalized, and all those who knock at our door in search of bread, refuge and the recognition of dignity.”
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
