The Maui News

WAILUKU–Today, Maui United Way announced the launch of its Mā’ona Food Security Grant, a new initiative aimed at addressing the growing food insecurity challenges faced by residents of Maui County. The grant will officially launch on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

The Mā’ona Food Security Grant is designed to support local organizations and initiatives that are focused on increasing access to healthy, nutritious food for vulnerable fire-impacted families. The goal of the grant is to ensure that no individual or family in Maui County goes hungry, while also strengthening the local food system.

“Prior to the August 2023 fires, the primary reason why those within Maui County called 2-1-1 was due to food insecurity and the fires only exacerbated this situation,” said Makana Rosete, Director of Communications, Events and Advocacy at Maui United Way. “Maui United Way is proud to be addressing this food crisis for our fire survivors, fire impacted families, and support resiliency building for our community at large through this grant.”

Grant Details:

¯ Launch Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 12 p.m. HST

¯ Eligibility: Open to nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity in Maui County

¯ Grant Amount: $50,000 – $250,000

¯ Grant Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 5 p.m. HST

Rosete also mentioned, “To increase accessibility and streamline processes, the application process involves a few basic questions and then a virtual interview. We hope these brief steps will help to address this community-wide need in a quick and efficient manner.”

Maui United Way invites all eligible organizations to apply for the grant and become part of a collective effort to combat food insecurity on Maui, Molokai and Lāna’i.

Thanks to the generous support of donors, Maui United Way has also helped provide $150,000 in emergency stop-gap funding to a hui of organizations led by Common Ground Collective (CGC) dedicated to feeding vulnerable fire-impacted families on Maui’s West Side while also providing a boost to local farmers.

For more information about the Mā’ona Food Security Grant or to apply, visit mauiunitedway.org/maona-food-security-grant or contact grants@mauiunitedway.org.