With USDA’s announcement that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for more than 40 million Americans will not be issued on Nov. 1, DoorDash is mobilizing an emergency food response to help bridge the gap.
The company says it plans to deliver 1 million meals through its Project DASH network of food bank partners and waive delivery and service fees for roughly 300,000 grocery orders placed by SNAP recipients. The move comes amid growing concern from states, retailers and food banks.
The more than 40 million Americans affected includes 21 million children, 16 million working families and 5 million seniors, DoorDash says in a news release. As federal funds run out, families face a growing risk of hunger, and food banks are already experiencing overwhelming demand they cannot meet on their own, the company says.
DoorDash says this is a food emergency unfolding in real time. Fighting hunger has always been core to DoorDash’s mission to grow and empower local economies. Through Project DASH, its effort to power delivery on behalf of food banks and pantries, the company says it works with over 300 partners nationwide and has powered 8 million deliveries — equivalent to 135 million meals.
“Our partners have told us: They need help now,” DoorDash says.
“No one should go hungry in America — period,” says Max Rettig, vice president and global head of public policy for DoorDash. “Millions of families are worried right now about how they’ll put food on the table. Fighting hunger is core to our mission at DoorDash, and we’re stepping up alongside leading grocers and retailers to help bridge the gap. We know this is a stopgap, not a solution, but doing nothing simply isn’t an option.”
“The food security of millions of people who rely on SNAP is at dire risk,” says Eric Mitchell, president of Alliance to End Hunger. “We know that the only viable solution is to ensure SNAP benefits are being delivered in full to those in need of food assistance as soon as possible. We are thankful for the part that companies and organizations across the country like DoorDash can do to try to fill the gap, and we will continue to work tirelessly to make sure SNAP is restored and protected quickly and fully.”
DoorDash’s Emergency Food Response:
- Delivering meals. DoorDash is waiving merchant fees for all 300-plus Project DASH partner food banks, food pantries and community organizations nationwide throughout November, equal to an estimated 1 million meals.
- Waiving delivery and service fees. DoorDash and grocery partners are covering the cost of delivery and service fees for an estimated 300,000 orders for SNAP recipients in November, helping families stretch budgets during any SNAP freeze. Customers who have linked a SNAP/EBT card to their profile can shop on DoorDash at Sprouts, Dollar General, Schnucks, Ahold Delhaize brands, Hy-Vee and Wegmans and have their delivery and service fees waived on one order.
- Donating food and essentials. DoorDash will donate fresh food, shelf-stable items and household essentials from DashMart locations to local food banks in affected communities.
DoorDash says its response alone cannot match the scale of this crisis, adding that the federal government’s role is irreplaceable.
“This is an opportunity for Congress to come together and find a way to continue to fund this essential program that keeps Americans from going hungry. We’re also calling on companies, organizations and individuals to do their part — donate food, funds or time — to support those most in need,” the company says.
- For food banks interested in partnering with Project DASH, contact mailto:projectdash@doordash.com.
- Individuals can support the Feeding America network here, or find a local food bank here.
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