The Ma’ona Food Security Grant, offered by Maui United Way (MUW), is a crucial initiative designed to address and combat food insecurity across Maui, Molokai, and Lanaʻi. This grant program directly aligns with MUW's broader mission to support local organizations and initiatives that are focused on increasing access to healthy, nutritious food for vulnerable, fire-impacted families. By doing so, MUW aims to strengthen the local food system and ensure that no individual or family in Maui County experiences hunger. The grant is open to nonprofit organizations already addressing food insecurity within Maui County, emphasizing a collaborative and community-driven approach to this critical issue.
The primary beneficiaries of the Ma’ona Food Security Grant are vulnerable fire-impacted families and individuals in Maui County. The impact goal is comprehensive: to increase access to healthy, nutritious food for these populations, ultimately ensuring that no one goes hungry. This initiative also aims to bolster the resilience and capacity of the local food system, creating more sustainable and equitable access to food resources for the entire community. The focus is not just on immediate relief but on fostering long-term food security.
The grant prioritizes organizations that can demonstrate effective strategies for increasing food access and strengthening the local food system. While specific detailed priorities or a defined theory of change are not explicitly laid out, the overarching strategy is clear: empower local nonprofits to implement programs that directly address food insecurity. This approach suggests a belief that local organizations are best positioned to understand and respond to the unique needs of their communities, making them central to MUW's strategic priorities in community welfare and resilience.
Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in food insecurity among vulnerable populations in Maui County. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of individuals and families served, the amount of healthy food distributed, and improvements in access to nutritious options. Ultimately, the success of the grant will be measured by the extent to which it strengthens the local food system, making it more robust and equitable, and ensures that all residents of Maui County have consistent access to the food they need. The grant amount, ranging from $50,000 to $250,000, reflects a commitment to providing substantial support to achieve these ambitious goals over the grant period of November 15, 2024, to November 14, 2025.
