The Midcoast Youth Center in Bath, Maine, has partnered with DoorDash to support families facing homelessness by providing meal delivery services. This initiative, announced in November 2023, involves the distribution of approximately $3,000 in gift cards through DoorDash’s Community Credits program. These cards will benefit around 30 families, enabling them to use the app for meal deliveries.
This partnership aims to address the challenges faced by families experiencing housing insecurity. According to Jamie Dorr, executive director of the Midcoast Youth Center, “By partnering with DoorDash, we are able to reach even more families across the greater Sagadahoc community and ensure that housing-insecure youth and their loved ones have consistent access to nourishing meals.” The initiative is designed to break down barriers that prevent families from accessing food, which can arise from a lack of transportation, limited kitchen facilities, or inadequate access to traditional food assistance programs.
Community Impact and Support
The DoorDash Community Credits program allows families to order meals and groceries directly from the app, providing them with flexible options for their dietary needs. Daniela Michanie, a spokesperson for DoorDash, noted that the gift cards can be used for deliveries from various restaurants and grocery stores. This is especially important for families living in hotels, campers, or transitional housing situations. Michanie stated, “In this case, it will help families who are stopping in hotel rooms, campers, and transitional apartments or other unstable housing situations to receive a hot meal or some essential groceries delivered directly to them.”
One Bath resident, who requested anonymity for privacy reasons, shared her family’s experience with the program. After losing their home about seven months ago, she and her family of seven are currently staying in a hotel. “Since we are currently staying in a hotel, we don’t have many options for food,” she explained. “We only have a microwave in our room, so we’re just going to use it for an actual meal from probably McDonald’s.” The DoorDash credits have been crucial for her family, allowing them to receive meals during the holiday season while her fiancé works full-time and their five children continue to attend school.
This collaboration between the Midcoast Youth Center and DoorDash is part of a broader effort to combat food insecurity in the region. DoorDash has previously partnered with organizations such as Preble Street in Portland, Freeport Community Services, and Wayside Food Programs to enhance food access for vulnerable populations.
As the holiday season approaches, initiatives like this one highlight the importance of community support and innovative solutions to address the pressing issue of food insecurity. The collaboration not only provides immediate relief but also fosters hope for families striving for stability in difficult circumstances.
