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Spotlight On: Touch A Heart

Discover Touch A Heart, a hidden gem in Honolulu transforming lives through food. Learn how this nonprofit empowers individuals through job training and internships in a supportive, ohana environment toward careers in food production. And try out some of their heartful treats!

Touch A Heart

Here’s a little-known organization that’s preparing and delivering ʻono food while fulfilling its primary aim of doing pono in our community: Touch A Heart. This Honolulu-based nonprofit works with individuals who face barriers to employment due to involvement with the justice system, addiction, homelessness, and/or disabilities. These individuals face limited opportunities due to their life circumstances. Touch A Heart welcomes them into a supportive community for a journey of transformation.

Graduating interns Ben, Taz, Keikilani, and Larissa in lei
Graduating interns Ben, Taz, Keikilani, and Larissa celebrate completing Touch A Heart's eight-week foodservice training program.

Interns, apprentices, and associates at Touch A Heart get job training and work experience through the nonprofit’s three food-based employment social enterprises: ʻOhana Meals, Baker’s Heart, and Touch a Heart Catering. Interwoven with the training, Touch A Heart offers participants an ‘ohana, fostering a nurturing culture that supports them in learning a new approach to life. Participants report that as they gain skills, they also build confidence and self-esteem that they never had before. This combination of hands-on training plus nonjudgmental support has enabled all graduates to gain Dept. of Health Food Handler Certification, with 95% finding long-term employment. Touch A Heart’s programs are a proven route to breaking the cycle of recidivism.

Wrapped and boxed Baker's Heart lace cookies
Baker’s Heart lace cookies showcase local ingredients and come boxed for giving: Kiawe & Toasted Sesame, Kiawe Flour, and ʻUlu Flour & Coconut are shown here.

Touch A Heart’s food programs are deeply rooted in the community. ʻOhana Meals began during the pandemic to ensure that the kupuna had regular access to nutritious meals. It has since expanded to serve families and busy professionals, delivering island-style meals weekly. Baker’s Heart creates and sells a variety of lace cookies and biscotti bites that utilize local ingredients such as kiawe flour, coconut, macadamia nuts, and ʻulu flour. Touch a Heart Catering offers “fresh and locally sourced cuisine,” made to order.

For your Valentine this year, or for Mother’s Day, why not give some ‘ono treats from Touch A Heart. Order some Baker’s Heart gift boxes and be part of Touch A Heart’s pono work in the community. After February 1, you can also order their Strawberry Dream cookies, made specially for these heartful occasions! (Cookie orders can be picked up at Kalihi Union Church, Mon. – Fri., 8 AM to 1 PM or Pearl City Community Church, Weds., 1 – 3 PM.)