Honolulu’s Good Neighbor Fund Aims for $125K to Support Families

The holiday season in Honolulu has kicked off with the launch of the annual Good Neighbor Fund, spearheaded by Helping Hands Hawai‘i, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and First Hawaiian Bank. This initiative aims to raise $125,000 to assist local families struggling to meet basic needs such as rent, utilities, and essential household items. Emphasizing emergency support, the fund channels resources through Helping Hands Hawai‘i’s Community Clearinghouse.

Impact of the Good Neighbor Fund

The funds collected through this campaign provide crucial emergency financial assistance, which encompasses help with rent, utilities, food, school supplies, clothing, and furniture for families in need. In addition to immediate aid, the initiative also supports services like budgeting workshops and referrals for case management, aimed at fostering long-term stability for households. According to Helping Hands Hawai‘i, donations contribute not only to one-time emergency grants but also support the ongoing operations of the Community Clearinghouse.

Organizers have set a higher fundraising target this year compared to last year’s total of approximately $91,000. By the end of October, Helping Hands had assisted over 31,000 individuals, with volunteers logging around 1,733 hours of service. This year, 321 volunteers have already stepped up to contribute, showcasing the community’s commitment to supporting those in need.

Increased Demand for Assistance

The demand for local assistance has surged, particularly after the recent record-long federal government shutdown, which lasted 43 days. This disruption affected benefits and services nationwide, pushing more families to seek help from local programs. Reports from AP News highlight that the shutdown caused significant hardship for federal workers and increased reliance on food banks and community services.

For those interested in contributing to the Good Neighbor Fund, donations can be made online through the Helping Hands website, in person at any First Hawaiian Bank branch, or by mail. Checks should be addressed to: Good Neighbor Fund, c/o Helping Hands Hawai‘i, MSC 61572, PO Box 1300, Honolulu, HI 96807-1300. Residents who require assistance can apply via the contact option on the Helping Hands website or by calling the Community Clearinghouse for intake and referrals to available programs.

The Adopt a Family program, also run by Helping Hands Hawai‘i, is currently seeking volunteers to help sort donations and distribute gifts throughout the holiday season. Kristine Garabiles, program manager for the Community Clearinghouse, noted that serving more than 31,000 individuals this year underscores the critical nature of the services provided by the organization for local families.

As the Good Neighbor Fund campaign progresses, the collective efforts of the community remain essential in ensuring that families in Honolulu can navigate this holiday season with the support they need.