DoorDash launches emergency food response as federal shutdown threatens SNAP benefits for millions
With the ongoing federal government shutdown threatening to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for more than 40 million Americans, DoorDash announced Sunday that it is launching an Emergency Food Response to help families at risk of hunger.
According to the company, the shutdown could affect 21 million children, 16 million working families, and 5 million seniors, creating what it calls a “food emergency unfolding in real time.”
“Fighting hunger has always been core to DoorDash’s mission to grow and empower local economies,” the company said in a statement. “Through Project DASH, our effort to power delivery on behalf of food banks and pantries, we work with over 300 partners nationwide and have powered 8 million deliveries — equivalent to 135 million meals. Our partners have told us: they need help now.”
As part of the emergency effort, DoorDash will:
- Deliver an estimated 1 million meals through 300+ Project DASH partners nationwide by waiving merchant fees throughout November.
- Waive delivery and service fees for an estimated 300,000 grocery orders for SNAP recipients through its grocery partners, including Sprouts, Dollar General, Schnucks, Ahold Delhaize brands, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle, and Wegmans.
- Donate food and essentials from DashMart locations to local food banks in affected communities.
“No one should go hungry in America — period,” said Max Rettig, Vice President 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.”
“The food security of millions of people who rely on SNAP is at dire risk,” said Eric Mitchell, President of the 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 officials said their response is meant to help food banks, not replace federal support. The company called on Congress to act quickly to restore SNAP funding and urged businesses and individuals to help through food, fund, and time donations.
For information on partnering with Project DASH, email projectdash@doordash.com. Individuals can support the Feeding America network or find a local food bank online.
