Through Project DASH, we are grateful to empower community organizations to leverage DoorDash logistics to increase access in their communities all year round. This year, we know Thanksgiving will look different for most of us, and in addition to health and safety concerns, food insecurity is on the rise. DoorDash is inspired by how our partners are meeting community needs during this time, and how the Dasher community is participating in making these deliveries possible. Below, we’ve spotlighted a few of the initiatives we’re proud to support through Project DASH.
United Way Worldwide
In cities across the U.S., United Way and its local partners will work with DoorDash to connect food and supplies to people in need. Since launching our partnership with United Way earlier this year, we’ve surpassed a million meals delivered. In the remaining months of the year, we’ll continue to serve senior citizens, along with youth, communities of color, people experiencing homelessness, refugees, people with chronic health issues, and others with special deliveries including Thanksgiving prepared meals and ingredients, mental health kits, warm blankets and clothing, toys and gifts, and hygiene supplies.
Tim, a Dasher in Seattle, Washington said: “When I started with DoorDash, I was looking for some extra income, with the ability to schedule the work at my own discretion. I have been delighted to have the opportunity through DoorDash to be a part of what United Way is doing and have the opportunity to help seniors, families, households and others in need, in my own community. I am pleased to play a part in ensuring folks still have what they need.”
Meals on Wheels Sacramento
Meals on Wheels supports the health and happiness of thousands of hungry seniors throughout Sacramento County. During the week of Thanksgiving, they’re taking additional efforts to provide more than 600 meals to the community, delivered fresh from local restaurants by Dashers.
Sadly, far too many older neighbors right here in Sacramento County struggle with hunger and isolation. Meals on Wheels Sacramento is grateful to partner with DoorDash to extend access to seniors who need support most. Last-mile delivery is one of the most critical parts of our program, which serves 2,200 seniors throughout Sacramento County every week. Working with DoorDash and its Dasher community has expanded our capacity to support those in Sacramento, especially during this unusually difficult holiday when safety and nourishment are more important than ever. — Kevin McAllister, Executive Director
GMHC
GMHC’s meals and nutrition program helps address food insecurity among the agency’s 10,000 clients living with HIV and affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City. Each year, the program provides an estimated 78,000 meals. During COVID-19, GMHC has pivoted to delivering meals to clients at their homes including both non-perishable items and fresh produce. For Thanksgiving, GMHC worked with DoorDash to help facilitate deliveries of holiday meals to clients.
Alternative Schools Network
The Alternative Schools Network provides resources and opportunities for under-served youth in Chicago who have chosen to re-enroll in high school. A constellation of support programs and a strong network of small, community-based schools allows ASN to serve over 3,500 youth each year. Their Critical Health Network program employs 30 youth at these schools to provide basic food and housing assistance to families in their community. The program was developed to mitigate the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Chicago’s Black and Latinx communities and since its inception has reached over 600 families, including over 2,500 family members. For Thanksgiving DoorDash partnered with the Alternative Schools Network to facilitate the delivery of turkey dinners to these families!
Rethink Food
Rethink Food is a nonprofit whose mission is to develop practical models that distribute nutritionally dense, culturally sensitive meals to nourish healthy and thriving communities. Based in New York City but with roots across the nation, one of their current programs, Rethink Certified, provides grants and resources for local restaurants to prepare meals for neighboring community based organizations (CBOs), with meals delivered by Dashers in NYC and Chicago during the week of Thanksgiving. Rethink Food’s goal this holiday season is to provide 1 million meals to communities impacted by food insecurity.
This Thanksgiving, we celebrate and thank our Project DASH partners for their innovation and commitment to creating access in their communities through last-mile delivery. We are also grateful to the Dashers who make it happen every day.
Teaming up with community partners to provide meals to families in need this Thanksgiving was originally published in DoorDash on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.