Matson Increases Support for Local Foodbanks to $10 Million

Matson has committed another $5 million in cash and in-kind services to support food banks in Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam.

The new commitment extends Matson’s earlier pledge to provide up to $5 million in assistance over 2021, 2022, and 2023 as part of its pandemic response plan, committing another $5 million in support for the next three years.

In Hawaii, one in six residents struggles with hunger, and with the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) benefits ending in February, residents are feeling the pinch even more.

The Hawaii Foodbank is the largest hunger relief organization in the state, working with a network of 200 agency partners on Oahu and Kauai, along with partner distribution organizations on the other islands, to provide food assistance to those in need.

With the assistance of Matson, the Hawaii Foodbank has been able to redirect roughly $2 million saved in transportation costs directly to program support and food – enough to provide more than four million meals – supporting all the islands’ communities.

“This is something we can do to help food banks put more of their funding toward sourcing food for distribution,” said Matt Cox, Chairman and CEO of Matson. “We are committed to helping meet community needs in the way we know best – by getting much-needed supplies delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Amy Miller Marvin, president and CEO of Hawaii Foodbank, said, “Last year alone, the amount of Matson’s inkind services helped provide food for nearly two million meals. In addition, their partnership has opened up new channels to bring in fresh, nutritious foods from our partners on the continent that we would never have been able to contemplate before.”