Channel One partners with DoorDash for Project DASH

Apr. 10—ROCHESTER — Channel One Regional Food Bank, state Sen. Liz Boldon, state Rep. Kim Hicks, Rochester City Council President Brooke Carlson, and DoorDash celebrated nearly 40,000 meals delivered to Rochester residents experiencing food insecurity on Wednesday, April 10.

The effort was made possible through a partnership between Channel One Regional Food Bank's and DoorDash's Project DASH.

"I'm proud to see the community come together to fight food insecurity in our home of Rochester," said Boldon. "Home delivery of food and other essentials is game-changing. It breaks down barriers to access and gives our neighbors the help they need in a way that promotes dignity and eliminates stigma."

Boldon, Hicks, and Carlson marked the milestone by providing a ceremonial food box to a DoorDash dasher.

"Tackling food insecurity is a team effort and I'm proud to stand with these community leaders alongside Channel One Regional Food Bank and DoorDash to mark this incredible milestone," Hicks said. "Home delivery allows food banks to serve previously unreachable members of our community — it's a perfect example of how partnering together can demonstrably improve the quality of life for so many of our neighbors."

Since April 2023, Channel One Regional Food Bank has partnered with Project DASH to deliver food boxes to Rochester residents experiencing food insecurity.

Through its partnership with Project DASH, Channel One Regional Food Bank has provided tens of thousands of meals via more than 1,100 deliveries to the communities it serves in Minnesota, according to a press release about the project. Launched in 2018, Project DASH has had more than 5 million deliveries of more than an estimated 80 million meals across the U.S. and Canada.

"This is a big day not just for Channel One Regional Food Bank, but for the entire Rochester community," said Virginia Witherspoon Merritt, executive director of Channel One Regional Food Bank. "These nearly 40,000 meals delivered are an example of what can be accomplished when we work together. Though our work is just beginning, we are building a future where all stakeholders do their part to ensure no one in our community goes hungry."

According to a 2023 report issued by the Urban Institute, home delivery is a critical tool in reducing barriers to food access. More than three in four surveyed clients cited trouble traveling to food bank sites because of chronic health conditions or mobility limitations. More than 90% of surveyed "anti-hunger organizations" reported that working with DoorDash allowed them to build capacity for services they otherwise would not be able to offer.

"With one in six Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity each year, I am immensely proud of the combined efforts of Channel One Regional Food Bank and DoorDash Project DASH to provide our friends, our families, and our neighbors with the healthy, nutritious food they need," Carlson said. "It's partnerships like this that help the Rochester community thrive."

About 75% of surveyed organizations reported that they could reach new populations and over half said they reduced staff time and reduced transportation costs as key capacity, the news release noted.

"DoorDash is honored to mark nearly 40,000 meals delivered via Project DASH to the Rochester community through our partnership with Channel One Regional Food Bank," said Mike Pomerantz, DoorDash's head of Midwest public engagement. "Local delivery helps ensure that food banks and food pantries can help people have access to the food and essential items they need in a dignified and convenient way. We're excited to join together with all stakeholders to help ensure this work alongside our partners across the country helps meet the need."