Additional Coverage:
Federal Shutdown Halts SNAP Benefits; DoorDash Steps Up with Emergency Food Response
[City, State] – November 1, 2023 – As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week, a critical lifeline for millions of Americans has been severed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that it will not issue November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, leaving over 42 million individuals, including 21 million children, 16 million working families, and 5 million seniors, without vital food assistance.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA stated in a public announcement on October 27, citing a lack of congressional funding as the reason for the halt in benefits, which were scheduled to be issued today, November 1.
In response to this pressing crisis, DoorDash has launched an “Emergency Food Response” in collaboration with national food banks and grocery chains, aiming to bridge the gap for those affected.
DoorDash’s Three-Pronged Approach
The initiative, announced by DoorDash on October 26, outlines three key actions:
- One Million Free Meal Deliveries: DoorDash will facilitate the delivery of one million meals through its Project DASH network, at no cost to food banks, pantries, and other community organizations nationwide. Additionally, the company will waive merchant fees for all its 300+ food bank partners throughout November.
- Waived Grocery Delivery Fees for SNAP Users: In partnership with major grocery retailers such as Sprouts, Dollar General, Schnucks, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle, Wegmans, and Ahold Delhaize brands, DoorDash will waive delivery and service fees on up to 300,000 grocery orders.
This offer is valid from November 1 through November 30 and is limited to one order per customer with a valid SNAP/EBT card linked to their DoorDash account. It’s important to note that taxes, other fees, and tips for delivery drivers (Dashers) will still apply.
- Food Donations from DashMart: DoorDash will also contribute fresh food, pantry staples, and household items from its DashMart locations to local food banks in communities most impacted by the benefit suspension.
Max Rettig, Vice President and Global Head of Public Policy at DoorDash, emphasized the company’s commitment, stating, “No one should go hungry in America – period. 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.”
Eric Mitchell, President of Alliance to End Hunger, echoed the gravity of the situation: “The food security of millions of people who rely on SNAP is at dire risk. 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.”
While DoorDash’s efforts offer a temporary reprieve, the long-term solution rests on the swift resolution of the federal shutdown and the full restoration of SNAP benefits for millions of Americans.