- 211 Big Bend is partnering with DoorDash through Project DASH to deliver food to families who can’t get to local pantries.
- The program launches Monday, November 3, to support families affected by the SNAP benefit disruption.
- Watch the video below to hear why 211 staff say this partnership is important for the Big Bend.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
For families without a car, getting to a food pantry can be the hardest part of putting dinner on the table. Now, 211 Big Bend is teaming up with DoorDash to bring the food directly to them.
Through DoorDash’s Project DASH program, local drivers will deliver boxes from community food pantries right to the homes of people who need them most. It’s a new way to make sure transportation isn’t the reason a family goes hungry.
Kay Ignacio, CEO of 2-1-1 Big Bend, said, “It’s important we have that partnership because it bridges gaps in the community and removes transportation barriers for people who just can’t get out there. And it also helps our counselors because it’s a yes. People call. They have the eligibility requirements. Our counselors feel good, and the person who were able to serve feels good as well. So it’s a win-win.”
And that help couldn’t come at a more critical time. With the USDA announcing, as of now, there will be no SNAP benefits issued on November 1, counselors say the phone lines were overwhelmed with families concerned about food.
Shmuel Eisen, a full-time counselor with 211 Big Bend, said, “It’s always a struggle with rent. It’s always a struggle with the utility bills, but the food stamps are just one of those things that people are used to being able to rely on. And all of a sudden the rug got swept out this past Monday. It was just call after call after call of food-stamp-related items. I don’t think I’ve ever had more food-related calls in a day.”
“Just know that those two numbers, 2-1-1 & 9-8-8, are so important to our community. Talk about them with your friends. Spread them around to your family and community, because the more people that know, the more people we can help through their emotional crisis. Because in the big band, no one faces a crisis alone.” Said Ignacio.
Leaders at 211 told me that this will officially start on November 3rd, the first Monday of the month, to help those families whose SNAP benefits have been affected and who don't have the means for transportation.
Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website.
Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.
