In 1982, John White's vision of a local food bank was one step closer to reality when the Good Samaritan Law governing food donations passed the State Legislature. The law encouraged the donation of unmarketable products by protecting donors from liability except in cases of gross negligence or wanton acts. To our knowledge, no person has ever become ill from donated food bank products.

In May of 1983 John, along with a single driver, opened a small warehouse on Sand Island that became the Hawaii Foodbank. All the equipment used was donated by local companies and included two refrigerated containers, a flatbed truck and a three-ton forklift. By the end of the first year of operation in March 1984, 380,000 pounds of food had been distributed through 75 member agencies.


The Hawaii Foodbank has grown immensely since then and is now distributing nearly 11.3 million pounds per year, including 2.6 million pounds of produce. Its serves 250 charitable agencies representing 289 feeding programs across Oahu. Member agencies are Hawaii's food pantries, feeding programs for children and the elderly, homeless and abuse shelters, rehabilitation centers and soup kitchens.

The Hawaii Foodbank
2611 Kilihau St.
Honolulu, HI 96819-2021
Ph: 808 836-3600
Fax: 808 836-2272
www.hawaiifoodbank.org