FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2020
Councilmember Pine Urges Mayor to Use Summer Fun Program Funds for Keiki Meals
In response to the extreme economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Honolulu City Councilmember Kym Pine introduced a resolution to urge the mayor and the Department of Parks and Recreation to utilize city funds that were already appropriated for the canceled program, to be used for keiki meals this summer.
Many of Oahus low-income families depend on subsidies from the citys Summer Fun program for daily meals, since schools are out for the summer. Since the city had to cancel in-person Summer Fun programs this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, many children may miss nutritional daily meals. Now, we have even more families in need than ever before, so it’s crucial we still make meals available to our keiki, said Pine.
Our local food banks and nonprofits are overwhelmed by the amount of families in need of food because of the economic crisis and the delay in unemployment payments. Funding for Summer Fun subsidies is typically released by the mayor each year, so these funds are already encumbered and can and should be directed toward providing meals to families who qualify for help, Pine said.
The Department of Education has made meals available to children while the stay-at-home order is in place, but has announced that it plans to end food distributions with the conclusion of the regular academic school year. This could be devastating to many families experiencing recent joblessness and income loss, said Pine.
Resolution 20-114: https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/document-download?id=6374
Councilmember Kym Pine represents residents of District One, comprising portions of Ewa Villages and Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Ko Olina, Nnkuli, Mili, Waianae, Mkaha, Keaau and Makua) and is chair of the City Councils Committee on Business Economic Development and Tourism.
Media Contact:
Erika Engle
Communications Director
erika-dot_engle [at] honolulu_dot-gov
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