First come, first served: Free meals available for 100 UH Hilo students every day for remainder of semester

The meals are made possible through a partnership with Vibrant Hawai‘i and a CARES Act grant from the County of Hawai‘i.

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo will be providing free meals for 100 students a day for the remainder of the semester starting today.  Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Farrah-Marie Gomes sent out an announcement to students saying the meals are made possible through a partnership with Vibrant Hawai‘i and a CARES Act grant from the County of Hawai‘i. CARES is a federal program—the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act—established in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

“Today and tomorrow, we will have bentos available for the first 100 students on each day,” says Gomes in her announcement. “Today’s bento will be from Asami’s Kitchen. Tomorrow’s bento will be from Café Pesto.”

Pick-up of the bentos will be between the hours of 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Student Services Center, room W-201. Students must bring a validated student ID, wear a mask and maintain six-foot distancing from others during the pick-up.

If the student has class scheduled during pick up time, email Vice Chancellor Gomes, noting if request is for today or tomorrow, and a meal will be held for pick up. For food safety reasons, the bento will need to be picked up no later than 1:15 p.m.

“We will have meal bags available starting next week and prepared meals will continue,” says Gomes. “An email with updated information will be sent out once details are finalized with our partner.”