Ann Arbor — Food Gatherers is leveraging DoorDash logistics to increase access to food for home-bound residents in Washtenaw County.
DoorDash’s Project DASH is delivering food to Michigan families and seniors thanks to a new partnership between DoorDash and the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Food Gatherers is among the first food banks in Michigan to pilot the grocery delivery program.
The food bank and food rescue program serving Washtenaw County is piloting the program through two of its hunger-relief partners, Jewish Family Services in Ann Arbor and Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti, which have existing food delivery programs. A grant to the Food Bank Council will cover an unlimited number of hours for “Dashers” to pick up orders from the food pantries and deliver them directly to clients.
“As part of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, Food Gatherers is thrilled to be among the first vanguard of food banks to launch this pilot in our state,” said Eileen Spring, President and CEO at Food Gatherers. “Home delivery of essential food resources will be a lifesaver for many during this pandemic and beyond.”
Project DASH effectively addresses an ongoing issue with getting groceries to food-insecure households that have difficulty accessing food pantries due to barriers like limited transportation or health complications. Since 2018, Project DASH has made over 1 million deliveries of an estimated more than 21 million meals in over 900 cities in the U.S. and Canada.
“This is a huge move forward,” said Dawn Opel, J.D., Ph.D., director of research and strategic initiatives at the Food Bank Council of Michigan. “Innovative and transformational home delivery solutions like this help us reach those in our communities facing the greatest challenges to food access.”
Food banks involved in the initial pilot programs include Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor, South Michigan Food Bank in Battle Creek, and Gleaners in Detroit with additional food banks joining over time.
Community members in need of food can contact Food Gatherers for assistance finding a food distribution program to meet their needs. Food Gatherers searchable Find Food Map and List are available online at www.foodgatherers.org/findfood.
About Food Gatherers
Food Gatherers’ mission is to alleviate hunger and eliminate its root causes in Washtenaw County. Last year, our food bank and food rescue program for the county distributed 9 million pounds of food to more than 170 non-profit programs serving adults, seniors, and children. For a list of our partner programs or to learn how you can become involved in the fight against hunger locally, please visit www.foodgatherers.org or call 734-761-2796.
