what we do

Here at Maui Food Bank

Our Mission

The Maui Food Bank’s mission is to help the hungry in Maui County by collecting and distributing food through community partnerships.

We distribute over 3.25 million pounds of safe, nutritious food each year including 900,000 pounds of fresh produce.

Who We Help

The Maui Food Bank is Maui County’s primary safety net for hunger relief. The Food Bank provides safe and nutritious food to anyone in Maui County who is at risk of going hungry. Of those served, 40% are children and youth. Working with more than 100 distribution partners and programs, the Food Bank distributes safe and nutritious food to individuals, families, kids, the working poor, seniors on fixed incomes, the homeless and anyone who is at risk of going hungry. This includes people in need living in the rural communities of Hana, Molokai and Lanai.

Partner Agencies

teamwork counts

To make the best possible use of resources, the Maui Food Bank has developed a unique system of over 100 partnering agencies. This collaborative network approach makes it possible for the food bank to operate a comprehensive and efficient, community-wide food distribution program on a surprisingly cost-effective basis.

Our History

The Maui Food Bank (MFB) was incorporated as a non-profit in 1994. MFB has continuously and consistently expanded food banking services for the residences of Maui County. The Maui Food Bank is the only nonprofit in Maui County that collects, warehouses and distributes mass quantities of perishable and nonperishable food items to those in need.

How We Operate

Incorporated in 1994, the Maui Food Bank has 14 full-time and part-time staff members. Volunteers contribute significantly to warehouse operations by inspecting, sorting and shelving donated food. The Maui Food Bank operates out of a 9,500 square foot building located in the Wailuku Industrial Park and is fully solar powered.

Running a food bank operation is a labor-intensive endeavor. We collect food on a daily basis from all over the island; most of it is donated, and the rest is purchased at wholesale prices or less. During the year we also ship from the mainland 8 containers of safe and nutritious food to Maui.

Everything we bring in goes through an intake inspection. It is then sanitized, inventoried, and stored until it can be distributed. Food shipments to Lanai and Molokai are also pulled and palatalized in our warehouse.

Each step of the operational process is regulated by strict adherence to the Warehouse Operations Manual, a definitive guide published by Feeding America, a national organization that outlines Good Warehouse Practices, Safety and Sanitation Requirements, and other vital criteria for non-profit food dissemination organizations.

Who We Are

Our Staff

Richard Yust Executive Director

Marlene Rice Development Director

Charity Hartman Director Agency Relations

Brandi Saragosa Director of Operations

Chelsey Ham Community Engagement Associate Director

Judy Franco Accountant / HR

Ashley Gonzales Community Programs Coordinator

Erick Acideira Warehouse Coordinator

Addie Texeira-Browne Aloha BackPack Buddies Program Coordinator

Susan Tavares Data Entry Administrator

Trina DeCoite Warehouse Clerk

Hyland Corden Driver & Warehouse Staff

Rex Sarbida Driver & Warehouse Staff

Siu Sharits Driver & Warehouse Staff

Our Board

Jason Economou (Esq.) Chair
Government Affairs Director, Realtors Association of Maui

Joe Chee, Jr. Treasurer
Vice President, Branch Manager, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

Karin Carlson Secretary
Realtor/Broker, Wailea Realty Corp+ Windermere Real Estate

Dano Sayles Member
Realtor/Broker/Leader Sayles Team, Coldwell Banker Island Properties

Glenn Brooking Member
Community Volunteer

Gil S C Keith-Agaran Member
Takitani Agaran Jorgensen & Wildman, LLLP

Malika Dudley Member
Meteorologist, Independent Journalist

Marsha Sharpe Member
Executive Vice President, Song Division

Michele McLean Member
County of Maui

Moana Lutey Member
County of Maui

Steve Ulene Community Volunteer

Alison Pearce Community Volunteer

let's do this

Donate today and help the hungry in Maui County.

Funding & Financial Accountability

The majority of funding for the Maui Food Bank comes from individuals, businesses, Corporate and Family Foundations. Government grants account for 25% of our budget. Our fundraising activities include direct mail, special events, food and fund drives. In addition, our member agencies contribute a shared maintenance fee for some of the food they select.