Amazon donates grocery deliveries to food banks

An e-tail giant is helping disadvantaged seniors receive free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amazon is partnering with food banks across the country to donate delivery services of shelf-stable groceries and pre-packaged foods to serve 6 million meals through the end of June. The company is providing deliveries using its network of Amazon Flex contract drivers. 

Amazon says it has already delivered 427,000 pounds of shelf-stable groceries, representing 336,000 meals, in Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. The company is committed to expanding to 25 U.S. cities and other international locations in an effort to help those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Amazon’s food bank partners are responsible for providing, preparing and packaging all shelf-stable foods. Amazon Flex delivery drivers will collect the pre-packaged foods from food banks and make no-contact deliveries directly to the doorsteps of seniors and other vulnerable individuals.

“Amazon has been a huge help with our distribution challenges, by helping to deliver food directly to 9,885 senior households—those that are the most vulnerable—in our community this month,” said Barbara Abbot, VP of supply chain at San Francisco-Marin food bank. “Seniors who are part of the Supplemental Food Program count on receiving a monthly box of healthy, shelf stable food each month, and now we have a consistent, reliable way to deliver them. Thanks to Amazon, we know our seniors will not miss a box this month or probably the next two, due to COVID-19 related disruptions. This also means that seniors don't need to leave their home to pick up this box of food, which helps keep them safe and the community safe.”