The Good Table - Turning one meal into many

How are you helping?

Because of your participation and support of The Good Table, Lanakila Meals on Wheels was able to raise more than $50,000.

This means not only 6,452 nutritionally balanced and guaranteed meals.

This means more moments of human connection.  It means people may no longer feel they are alone.  It means more friendships.

And it means our world just got a little smaller, closer and happier.

Thank you for making this happen.

Why your support so important.

It is heartbreaking.  The stories. 

Staff at Lanakila Meals on Wheels have several times in the last year made emergency deliveries to a senior who called in that morning, to finally reach out for help after not eating for several days.  

The epidemic of senior hunger is a growing issue we can no longer deny.   Both research studies and people in the community have been warning us to start preparing for the past decade.  

Below are some compelling facts that give a glimpse of where we are and what we need to do.

Did you know?

• By the year 2020, one out of every four people in Hawaii will be 60 years and older.
• Of our frail sick and homebound seniors, only 46% reported getting out of their home at least once a week.
• Nearly 1 in 3 residents of Hawaii over the age of 60 are trying to make ends meet on an annual income that is below $10,000
• The average meals on wheels recipient is female, 85 years of age, and subsists on an income of less than $10,000 a year.
• Providing meals to seniors, which enables them to stay in their homes and avoid costly institutionalization, can be the difference between $38.75 for a week of home delivered meals vs. $470 for a week of institutionalization.
• Seniors living in rural areas are more socially isolated, so are more impacted by hunger issues because of a limited amount of grocery stores or take-out counters within walking distance in their districts. 

About Us

      Lanakila’s Meals on Wheels is Hawaii’s largest and only island-wide meal provider for seniors, serving over 250,000 meals for seniors in need each year.

   Lanakila Meals on Wheels is a program of Lanakila Pacific, a unique Hawaii-based non-profit.  What makes Lanakila Meals on Wheels especially unique is that our program also provides food service training for people with disabilities in the preparation of meals for seniors.

   Delivering more than a nutritious meal, the Lanakila Meals on Wheels’ volunteer may be a senior’s only personal contact each day.  We provide nutrition education and counseling, monitor health and welfare, and serve as an important bridge to other service providers, helping seniors remain in their own homes, preventing than more costly institutionalization. 

The Crisis

   Due to inadequate funding, our waiting list has been as high as 300 seniors and we continue to get calls every day from seniors needing assistance.

   Unfortunately, the current waiting list is not an accurate reflection of the need.  When seniors contact us for meals, they are often hesitant or refuse to leave their name for the waiting list.  However, The City & County of Honolulu’s Elderly Affairs Division 4-year plan (2007-2011) indicates that the unmet need for home delivered meals is 8,587 seniors. 

   It is a heartbreaking problem.  But one that we can solve with your support.  Mahalo for making a difference!