DoorDash launches Emergency Food Response program in light of SNAP pause
A leading delivery platform is taking action to aid its customers as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are set to expire in the coming days.
DoorDash is launching an Emergency Food Response program, including free delivery for its Project DASH food bank and food pantry partners nationwide. It will also partner with leading grocers to waive delivery and service fees for an estimated 300,000 orders for SNAP recipients.
As a result of the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1, according to ABC News. The Trump administration also said it would not tap roughly $5 billion in emergency funds to SNAP benefits funded through the next month.
“No one should go hungry in America – period,” said Max Rettig, VP and global head of public policy at 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.”
Details of DoorDash’s Emergency Food Response include the following:
- Delivering 1 million meals for 300+ Project DASH partners nationwide DoorDash is waiving merchant fees for all 300+ 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 for 300,000 grocery orders for SNAP recipients 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. The offer is valid from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30.
- Donating food and essentials to local food banks DoorDash will donate fresh food, shelf-stable items, and household essentials from DashMart locations to local food banks in affected communities.
[READ MORE: DoorDash adds new California, Midwest grocers to platform]
"The food security of millions of people who rely on SNAP is at dire risk,” said 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."
Since its founding in 2013, DoorDash has expanded to more than 40 countries.
