Four Hawaiʻi nonprofits receive investments as SNAP cuts loom
“To truly end hunger, we need to change the systems that keep families trapped in poverty,” Daniela Spoto, deputy director of Hawaiʻi Appleseed, said. “This investment from MAZON allows us to tackle the root causes of food insecurity so families don’t have to choose between food, housing, and other basic needs.”
In Hawaiʻi, where nearly one in three households struggles to afford food—with even higher rates on the neighbor islands—the funding will bolster advocacy efforts to protect and expand programs such as keiki and kupuna meal access, SNAP, emergency food relief and long-term farm-to- community connections.
“This comes at a critical time,” Elia Herman of Hawaii Foodbank said, noting that demand for food assistance is surging just as federal benefits face historic cuts.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, more than 13,000 people in Hawaiʻi could lose some or all of their benefits each month once expanded work requirements are implemented. Those newly affected include adults ages 55 to 64, parents of children ages 14 and older, veterans, homeless individuals and former foster youth.
The bill also restricts access for certain immigrant groups: refugees and asylum seekers will lose eligibility, though COFA citizens and Cuban or Haitian immigrants will remain covered. Other provisions eliminate Hawaiʻi’s $1.5 million SNAP-Ed program in October 2025, freeze benefit allotments in 2027, and shift a larger share of administrative and benefit costs to the state. Depending on error rates, Hawaiʻi could be required to pay between $36 million and $109 million annually toward SNAP benefits beginning as early as 2027.
Nate Hix of HIPHI underscored the magnitude of the cuts.
“Food Stamps, SNAP benefits—these are the biggest food assistance programs in the nation, by far. It brings in roughly $700 million in benefits to over 150,000 people in the state every year; the average benefit is $400 per month per beneficiary,” Hix said. “This is a massive program, and these cuts, whether it be through decreased funding for the administrative support or cutting people from their benefits.”
Hix said the ripple effects extend beyond families to Hawaiʻi’s economy.
“That’s less money being spent at our local grocery stores, that’s less money being spent on other things,” he said. “This is a huge impact, something that we need to definitely be prepared for.”
At the same time, foodbanks are struggling to keep up with unprecedented needs.
Herman said that “demand has really skyrocketed, especially over the last two years.
“We’ve seen a surge of over 35 percent since 2023 and we are basically serving the same numbers as we were during the height of the pandemic,” she said.
Hawaii Foodbank works with over 250 partner agencies on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, alongside Maui Food Bank and The Food Basket on Hawaiʻi island. Together, the statewide foodbank network has lost more than $4 million in federal food supplies due to cuts, Herman said, just as the number of families needing help continues to climb.
