The Pantry
by Feeding Hawai’i Together
About Us
The Pantry is a food distribution service for people in need that is operated by Feeding Hawaii Together, a Hawaii-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Founded over 20 years ago by Diana and Charlie Lorenz, who’s passion for helping those in need with dignity and compassion, grew into the largest food distribution pantry in Hawaii. Their original vision provided tens of millions of pounds of food to tens of thousands of people.
Their idea was to serve those in need in a “grocery store style” setting, providing clients with the opportunity to choose the food they wanted. This not only eliminated food waste but supported their customers in becoming self-sufficient.
Charlie and Diana’s vision and legacy continues today in a new location, and has inspired others to help grow The Pantry and its “grocery style shopping” into the most innovative online food pantry in not only Hawaii, but the nation, with the potential to dramatically increase the number of people served.
Founders Charlie and Diana Lorenz at the old pantry in 2013.
Our Mission
Address Oahu’s hunger crisis by providing consistent and reliable access to nutritional food
Who We Serve
The 161,000 of Hawaii residents who were food insecure along with the newly unemployed 200,000 Hawaii residents, who have had a dramatic change in circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to The Guardian (Thursday, April 2, 2020), “The demand for food aid has increased as much as eightfold in some areas, according to an investigation by the Guardian, which gives a nationwide snapshot of the hunger crisis facing the US as millions become unemployed.
About one in three people seeking groceries at not-for-profit pantries last month have never previously needed emergency food aid, according to interviews with a dozen providers across the country.”
We are here to help those today and those in the near future who will need food to survive this crisis.
Our Vision
Be a model for food security and sustainability in Hawaii.
Hunger Facts
A recent study from the University of Hawaii found that 48% of Hawaii Families struggle with food insecurity, with 1 in 3 keiki not having enough food to eat. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has exacerbated the hunger crisis, with food insecurity in Hawaii having grown by more than 50% since the onset of the pandemic, with Hawaii being one of the states most gravely impacted.
Our Beliefs
Diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our mission and vision at The Pantry. From our staff to the volunteers who help serve our community, we remain steadfast in our commitment to maintain a culture that welcomes diverse perspectives and ensures that people from all walks of life receive services equitably. We continue to develop partnerships with organizations that embrace these three core values so that we can collectively move the needle forward in eliminating hunger and food insecurity throughout Hawaii.
