The Midcoast Youth Center in Bath, Maine, has formed a partnership with DoorDash to support families facing homelessness. This initiative, announced in December 2023, involves the DoorDash Community Credits program, which provides approximately 30 families with a total of $3,000 in gift cards. These cards can be used for deliveries via the DoorDash app, facilitating access to meals for those in need.
The partnership aims to address the challenges faced by families experiencing housing insecurity. According to Daniela Michanie, a spokesperson for DoorDash, the Community Credits program helps eliminate barriers such as lack of transportation and limited access to traditional food assistance. The gift cards can be utilized for various deliveries, including meals from restaurants and essential groceries.
Supporting Families in Crisis
Jamie Dorr, executive director of the Midcoast Youth Center, expressed the importance of this collaboration. “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,” Dorr stated.
The initiative is especially beneficial for families residing in temporary accommodations such as hotel rooms, campers, or transitional apartments. Michanie noted that the program allows these families to receive hot meals and groceries delivered directly to them, significantly enhancing their quality of life during difficult times.
One Bath resident shared her experience, requesting anonymity to protect her family’s privacy. After losing their home about seven months ago, her family of seven is now navigating homelessness for the first time. “Since we are currently staying in a hotel, we don’t have many options for food,” she explained. With only a microwave available in their hotel room, they plan to use the DoorDash credits to order meals, likely from fast-food outlets like McDonald’s.
This support is particularly crucial as the family continues to manage daily life while the fiancé works full-time and the five children remain in school. The DoorDash credits provide a critical lifeline, allowing them to enjoy meals throughout the holiday season.
A Broader Impact
The collaboration between the Midcoast Youth Center and DoorDash is part of a larger effort to assist families in need. DoorDash has established similar partnerships with organizations such as Preble Street in Portland, Freeport Community Services, and Wayside Food Programs. These partnerships reflect a growing recognition of the role that food delivery services can play in community support during challenging times.
As the program unfolds, it aims to deliver not just meals, but also hope and reassurance to families grappling with the uncertainties of housing insecurity. By ensuring access to nutritious food, the Midcoast Youth Center and DoorDash are making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable families in the Sagadahoc community.
