O'ahu residents are being invited to "skip-a-lunch" today, a week before Thanksgiving, and donate the saved cost to hunger- and homelessness-oriented service agencies in recognition of those who, forced to choose between buying food and paying rent, will eat far less on the holiday.

Partners in Care, whose member agencies work together to end homelessness on O'ahu, is sponsoring the awareness event.

Agencies accepting donations include the Aloha United Way, Catholic Charities Hawai'i, the City and County of Honolulu, the Salvation Army and community outreach and health centers across the island.

The event is part of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which ends Saturday.