Amazon said on Monday (July 27) that helping to feed America’s needy during the pandemic by donating delivery services is part of its overall commitment to charity. In a press release, the company said it had “delivered more than six million meals with 7.4 million pounds of food since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to people in need in over 25 cities across the U.S. — with plans to deliver a million more meals by the end of summer.”
“Amazon has a longstanding commitment to addressing right-now needs – with over $100 million in donations to homelessness, hunger and disaster relief,” said Alice Shobe, director of Amazon in the Community. “The pandemic intensified the need for hunger relief efforts, and Amazon is committed to playing our part by donating delivery services to help food banks and community organizations get meals to the doorsteps of people in need.”
With unemployment rising to epic levels due to the pandemic, Amazon said that “food banks have experienced unprecedented demand.”
To comply with social distancing requirements, Amazon said its “delivery drivers are stepping in to help by safely delivering meals directly” to people’s homes. Since March, the company said it “has donated delivery services to food banks and community organizations through its Amazon Flex network and other delivery partners.”
“COVID-19 and the ensuing health and economic fallout has disrupted the lives of people all over the D.C. area, hitting those we serve hardest,” said George A. Jones, CEO of Bread for the City, a Washington, D.C.-based food pantry supported by Amazon. “Amazon’s generous donation of delivery services has enabled us to reach even more of our families and seniors, helping ensure that they get the food they need to stay safe and healthy while maintaining social distancing.”
The Seattle-based Amazon added that it has “piloted deliveries of hundreds of thousands of meals with Portland Public Schools and Seattle Public Schools, and delivered meals and devices for the Los Angeles Unified School District.”
In Seattle, the eCommerce giant has targeted deliveries to students who are medically fragile and have disabilities.
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