Community Clearinghouse
Household Resources & Emergency Assistance
Housing Stabilization Services
Support During the Federal Government Shutdown
We understand that the recent announcement about the temporary halt of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other shutdown-related impacts may bring stress and uncertainty for many local families. Please know that you are not alone. Helping Hands Hawai‘i is here to support you through this.
We are preparing for an increased need across our community and are working diligently to adjust our services so we can continue providing food, basic necessities and compassionate support to those who need it most.
We encourage you to:
- Use your remaining SNAP benefits thoughtfully and check your EBT balance regularly.
- Reach out to your local food bank, pantry or community program if you need immediate food assistance. Hawaiʻi Foodbank is hosting additional food distribution events during this time.
- Complete your DHS recertifications or interviews to stay current with your benefits.
- Follow updates directly from DHS or USDA for accurate, timely information.
The new Hawai‘i Relief Program also offers short-term assistance for eligible families with dependent children and can help with housing and utility payments to ease the burden during the federal government shutdown.
To apply, please visit: www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org/hawaii_relief_program/
More information about the State’s coordinated relief efforts can be found online.
We know this situation is difficult, but we remain steadfast in our mission to uplift our community with care and compassion. For more than 50 years, we’ve been here for Hawaii’s families, and we’ll continue to be here for you now.
The Community Clearinghouse (CCH) program provides multiple services for struggling households. Services include providing free household items, like furniture, cookware, bedding, toiletries, and other household necessities. CCH also provides empowerment training, financial assistance, school supplies, and holiday support. All the items are given away for free and provided through generous donations from the local community or purchased using grants or monetary donations.
For more information on your impact, contact cch@helpinghandshawaii.org or (808) 536-7234 ext. 800.
Services
Our Impact
The Community Clearinghouse provides a wide range of services that improve people’s quality of life and empowers them on their path to a better tomorrow.
Donate your household goods, like beds, tables, desks, and couches. As Oahu’s central collection and distribution for donated goods, CCH provides thousands of low-income and houseless families with more than $100,000 in donated goods each year for free.
Concerned about her health, Aririn and her two children moved from Guam to Hawaii for better access to healthcare. After addressing her medical issues, she moved into low-income housing and furnished it for free with a leather sectional couch, bed, dresser, shelves and kitchen items from CCH. Because of you, she was able to create a welcoming and healing space for her family.
Donate your household goods, like beds, tables, desks, and couches. As Oahu’s central collection and distribution for donated goods, CCH provides thousands of low-income and houseless families with more than $100,000 in donated goods each year for free.
Concerned about her health, Aririn and her two children moved from Guam to Hawaii for better access to healthcare. After addressing her medical issues, she moved into low-income housing and furnished it for free with a leather sectional couch, bed, dresser, shelves and kitchen items from CCH. Because of you, she was able to create a welcoming and healing space for her family.
Give monetary donations to support CCH emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities. Empower households experiencing houselessness or at risk of losing their home to create stable living situations. Support them through unexpected disruptions in their income, which cause them to fall behind on their bills.
As a single parent, Alicia’s family relied on her income for rent, utilities, food, and other necessities. When Alicia got injured leaving her workplace, she was unable to work for three months. Although she received temporary benefits, it ran out after 30 days. Behind on her rent, Alicia applied for emergency assistance through CCH. After getting rental assistance, Alicia returned to work and is getting back on her feet.
Donate school supplies to provide keiki — grades K-12 — across Hawaii with the tools needed to make their educational experiences productive.
For more than 25 years, Ready to Learn has helped families ensure that no child goes without school supplies. Many students prefer to skip classes instead of returning with last year’s used supplies and backpacks. They may feel ashamed for having to go without the supplies or experience being different from their peers. Without support and encouragement, these students may fall behind in school or develop problematic behaviors that negatively impact their learning and progress.
Each year, RTL partners help prepare thousands of local children for the upcoming school year.
Adopt a Family (AAF) is a seasonal event that links individuals and families in need with generous donors in the community. With hundreds of individual donors, we make a difference by having families in need adopted to fulfill their holiday wishes. Our AAF donors provide much needed assistance to a wide range of participants, such as the elderly, veterans, domestic violence survivors, children, and many others who are struggling. Our goal is to bring families peace, happiness, love, and joy during the holiday season.
You can donate household items, like beds, tables, desks, and couches. Please visit Donation Guidelines to identify which of your items would most help the individuals and families we serve.
You can also give monetary donations to support CCH operations in emergency assistance and distribution events.
And you can donate school supplies or adopt a family in need during the holiday season.
