KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Living Pono Project is responding to the increased demand for food assistance as the federal government shutdown enters its first month.

The nonprofit, which holds food distributions every Thursday, focuses on nourishing hungry families with fresh produce.

The Living Pono Project said it has been seeing more new customers as uncertainty continues with federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Most of the nonprofit’s food comes from the Maui Food Bank, said officials.

In the last decade, the Food Bank reported a 62% increase in individuals seeking assistance.

Of that percentage, 65% have incomes below the official poverty guidelines, 37% are from working households, and almost 50% are single mothers, the Maui Food Bank said.

Kaula

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