Woodridge, IL- West Suburban Community Pantry has been using the services of DoorDash as the Woodridge-based agency continues to expand its reach to serve families across DuPage and Will Counties. The Pantry has been utilizing the food delivery service in conjunction with its online Virtual Food Pantry since early summer and has averaged over 1000 packages delivered each month. At least 150 families have taken advantage of the Project DASH program, which DoorDash offers to community organizations free of charge. A growing number of families and seniors are requesting that their Pantry groceries ordered virtually always be delivered via DoorDash.
West Suburban Community Pantry serves over 5,600 customers monthly through their Woodridge Pantry Store, Virtual Food Pantry, several remote pantry locations and an In-school Pantry at Irene King Elementary in Romeoville. “We are committed to extending our reach any way we can to serve the growing need. Our partnership with DoorDash allows us to reduce or eliminate barriers including access to transportation, stigma, and the sheer physical burden of carrying 70 plus pounds of groceries,” says Paul Matsushima, director of Pantry Operations. “We are also able to provide more delivery opportunities to DoorDash workers who may also be struggling to make ends meet.”
“Project DASH empowers community organizations to leverage DoorDash logistics to increase access in their communities. As a result of COVID-19 and shelter-in-place orders, a tremendous need emerged for last-mile provision of food and supplies,” says Rhea Sanchez, Government and Non-Profit Representative for DoorDash. “We expanded Project DASH to meet the need. We truly believe that we are in a position to help increase equitable access to charitable food and resources. By providing free home delivery service, we can reduce the stigma and increase convenience and dignity of the people in need in our communities.”
“We have customers who are elderly, disabled, work crazy hours or are home caring for children, seniors, or those with special needs. Some either don’t drive or don’t have access to a vehicle, so they rely on relatives or neighbors for help, “says Colleen Loftus, Volunteer Coordinator for the Pantry. “The convenience of having their groceries delivered is a great relief.. Everyone is incredibly grateful for this program.”
“I know of one senior who is severely immunocompromised. Prior to DoorDash, she had relied on monthly delivery by a Pantry volunteer,” explains Loftus. “Now she can order her fresh produce, milk and eggs weekly and have it delivered through DoorDash. The opportunity to have contactless delivery is key for her as she can’t interact with other people without fear of becoming ill.”
DoorDash services are offered at West Suburban Community Pantry every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday to a service area within approximately ten miles of the Woodridge Pantry. That area encompasses neighborhoods to North Avenue to the North, Burr Ridge/Countryside to the East, parts of Romeoville to the South and Eola to the west. For more information on West Suburban Community Pantry, visit www.wscpantry.org.
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