Outreach is ramping up due to recent Kona Low storms in March 2026 caused widespread flooding across Hawaiʻi, creating urgent needs in our school communities. Many students and their families have been significantly impacted—displaced from their homes and facing ongoing hardship. We are working diligently to provide timely and meaningful relief.

The Assistance League of Hawaiʻi has partnered with the Department of Education’s (DOE) Community Engagement Branch, which works directly with students and families. Through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students experiencing homelessness—including those displaced by the Kona Low flooding—are eligible for support. This federal law broadly defines homelessness to include individuals lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living in shared housing due to hardship, motels, shelters, or other temporary situations.

Statewide DOE liaisons are on the front lines, identifying students who have lost essential belongings or are facing new barriers, including transportation challenges. To respond effectively to these diverse and immediate needs, the following items are in high demand:

• Hygiene supplies (soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products)
• Essential items such as clothing, school supplies, and temporary storage containers (e.g., ice chests for use in temporary housing)
• Emergency items as needed arise

Funding these needs presents a challenge. Many of these items cannot be purchased using state or federal funds, making nonprofit support critical. While the Assistance League of Hawaiʻi maintains an annual budget for one-time emergencies, the scale of this disaster exceeds those resources.

In response, the Board has approved earmarking recent donations specifically for this effort. Our total initial budget for expenditures is $9000.00.  We anticipate participating with the DOE for multiple years.  Should others wish to support this initiative to help students and families affected by the March flooding in Hawaii, all contributions will be directed to a designated fund as we continue our collaboration with DOE community engagement liaisons to meet the evolving needs of affected students and families. We anticipate participating with the DOE for multiple years, as we did with the Lahaina Fires a couple of years ago.

OUTREACH PAGE

Get ready to give back! Assistance League of Hawaii is thrilled to announce its participation in the annual Give Aloha campaign, a community-focused partnership with Foodland Super Market.

Throughout September, shoppers across the state can support Assistance League of Hawaii’s vital programs, with Foodland matching a portion of each donation.

Foodland’s Give Aloha campaign offers a wonderful opportunity for the members and the community to help the Assistance League of Hawaii continue its mission of transforming the lives of keiki and families in need.

It’s easier than ever to give!

From now until September 30, you can donate at any Foodland, Sack N Save, or Foodland Farms location statewide. Simply use the Assistance League of Hawaii’s unique code, 77759, when you check out with your Maika’i Card.

Donations of any size make a huge impact and can be made in a few simple ways:

• Round up your purchase.
  Donate spare change.
  Redeem 250 Maika’i points for a $5 donation.
  Make a monetary donation up to $249.
  Purchase exclusive Give Aloha merchandise designed by artist Suzanne Jennerich.

Every contribution is a step toward creating a brighter future for our community, and with Foodland’s matching portion, your generous gift will go even further. Join the Assistance League of Hawaii and Foodland in this powerful campaign to give with aloha!

Free lunch is provided by Kyo-ya Ohana at the end of the walk, along with free snacks and drinks that are available along the route. It is a 5.2 mile route from Magic Island through Waikiki.

Assistance League’s team this year will include the youth group from “On Time R.E.A.C.H.” Mahalo to Lorna Motas who is coordinating the sponsored walkers.

R.E.A.C.H. represents the “process” that youth will go through

Revive – Revive you to get excited for living life with purpose

Equip – Equip you with the tools to succeed and develop your character

Activate – Activate your gifts & talents to apply what you have learned

Community – Restoration of community and family through serving & giving back

Hope – To give hope for positive change and strive to continue reaching the community

The deadline to get your check to Assistance League of Hawaii is April 30th. You can also donate online to the links provided below.

If you choose to walk and haven’t registered by the deadline, you can register on May 3rd at the Charity Walk. Assistance League of Hawaii members and walkers will meet at 6:30 am at Magic Island.

• $50 suggested donation for anyone over 18
• $25 suggested donation for anyone under 18

If you are donating via check, please make it payable to CHARITY WALK. You can also donate online by clicking on the button below.

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/Oahu/team/AssistanceLeagueofHawa

Click on this graphic or scan the QR code to get to the online donation link.

From the Hawaii Visitor Charity Walk web page

Join Us for the 2025 Oʻahu Visitor Industry Charity Walk!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 3, 2025, as we come together for a meaningful and fun-filled day at Ala Moana Beach Park – Magic Island, kicking off at 7:00 a.m.

The Visitor Industry Charity Walk is more than just a walk—it’s a powerful movement that has raised millions to support hundreds of local nonprofits across Oʻahu. By participating, you’re directly contributing to organizations that provide critical services in our community, from feeding families in need to supporting keiki programs, senior care, and cultural preservation.

Get ready for a morning of live entertainment, delicious local food, and an incredible sense of camaraderie, all while making a lasting impact. Whether you walk, donate, or volunteer, your support helps uplift those who need it most.

We can’t wait to see you there! Sign up today and be part of something truly special.

Here’s how to donate:

Shop: Visit Foodland or Sack n’ Save from now until September 30.

Donate: At checkout, tell the cashier you want to donate to the Assistance League of Hawaii and provide code 77759.

Be sure to use your Foodland Maika’i Card to maximize your donation. Foodland will match a portion of your donation up to $249.00.

Look for our banner: Our banner will be prominently displayed at the Ewa Beach Foodland location. The Give Aloha campaign will end on September 30, 2024. For additional information, please visit Foodland’s Give Aloha website.

Your Donations Fund Our Programs

Assistance League of Hawaii is a non-profit organization that provides philanthropic programs to thousands of Hawaii’s most needy students, children, and families. One of our signature programs is Operation School Bell®, which provides new school clothing to children in Title 1 schools.

This year Operation School Bell member volunteers helped children get new outfits and shoes to kick off the new academic year. Our other programs include Operation Wild Life, We Care, Share and Outreach that contributes items to our constituents. Learn more about our programs by going to THIS LINK.

Assistance League of Hawaii is grateful for the support of donors like you who help make programs a success. Mahalo!

Your Give Aloha donation funds our Operation School Bell® program to get supplies for Title 1 school students among other programs.

Donate to Assistance League of Hawaii at Foodland during September, and Foodland will match a portion of your gift!

It’s simple to donate. Here is how it works:

1. Go to any Foodland or Sack N Save store

2. Give the cashier our organization code #77759

3. Using your Maika’i Card, donate any amount (up to $249)

Go to this link for more details on Foodland’s Give Aloha program.

As the new school year approaches, we are reminded of the importance of education and the many challenges facing families in need. That is why Assistance League of Hawaii is committed to providing support and resources to those who need it most.

During our Operation School Bell Donation Campaign, we are focusing on raising awareness and funds to help us continue our mission. With your help, we can provide school supplies and clothing to families in need across Hawaii.

Some of the ways you can help include:

• Donate money or in-kind items to our thrift shop.

• Volunteer your time to help sort and sell donated items.

• Spread the word about our organization and our mission.

You can make your donation through our Right Gift donation page accessible through the link below:

DONATE NOW TO ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF HAWAII (Right Gift)

Your donation, whether it’s monetary or in-kind, can help us assist those in need.

Mahalo for your support!

Nancy Sparacino

President, Assistance League of Hawaii

Now through September 30, is Assistance League of Hawaii’s annual Foodland Give Aloha campaign, often referred to as “KWAK” (“Kokua with Aloha Kala for our Keiki”).

The annual community matching gifts program honors Foodland of Hawaii’s founder Maurice J. “Sully” Sullivan. The program continues his legacy of giving back to the community and supports the Assistance League of Hawaii’s philanthropic programs for our keiki.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM FOODLAND:

Donations to each organization are tracked, and Foodland’s matching gift is divided proportionately among all participating organizations based on customer donations to the organizations.

For more information about Foodland’s Give Aloha program, please see our Give Aloha FAQs.

LEARN MORE AT THE FOODLAND GIVE ALOHA PAGE.