This April, we ran the first-ever “Dasher Giveback Sweepstakes”, during which 10 Dashers could win $50,000 and select a charity for DoorDash to donate $50,000, as well. Last month, we selected the winners from among the many Dashers who completed 25 deliveries over the two-week period (their ticket to enter), and we have loved meeting the Dashers who benefited from the program. The charities they selected matched their passions, from fighting hunger and food waste to supporting veterans and ending wrongful convictions. We’re so honored to be a part of the journey for these Dashers, and thrilled to contribute to these charities.
The effort was inspired by DoorDash’s mission to empower local economies, which includes Dashers and the communities where drivers work, live, and play, especially after a year where Dashers have done so much to support those around them.
"Over the past year, Dashers have played an important role in our neighborhoods, connecting customers and community members to essential items, groceries, and meals, and enabling restaurants to adapt their services to meet the demands of a COVID-19 world," Sueli Shaw, Head of Social Impact at DoorDash said. "To celebrate all that delivery drivers have done for our communities, DoorDash is excited to continue our commitment to giving back to Dashers and the causes they care about."
While some winners asked to maintain confidentiality, these Dashers are based across the US, from Fresno, CA on the west coast to Charlotte, NC out east. They shared with us their passions for fitness and sports, business and entrepreneurship, and their families and friends. As for the winnings, their plans to use the funds included building up some rainy day savings, starting retirement accounts, moving to new homes, taking care of car repair, and planning well-deserved vacations. Others were still too surprised to make arrangements. “I was shocked and skeptical, relieved and excited but I got some serious knots in my stomach. It's almost unimaginable,” said Logan S., a Dasher in Lexington, KY.
Teshome, a Dasher in Virginia, started dashing for the flexible schedule, and now dashes nearly every day -- but he didn't ever expect to win a Sweepstakes. "When I saw the email," he said, "I wondered who would be the lucky person!" He selected to have DoorDash donate to the Innocence Project, and with the winnings, he plans to put down a down payment on a new house.
"I started with DoorDash in search of additional income opportunities," said Jeffrey, a Dasher from Charlotte, NC. "It was easy to sign up for, and I love the fact that I create my own schedule." Winning the Sweepstakes, though, was still a shock. "When I got the call, I was utterly surprised. With the $50,000, I plan to make investments and support my family." As for selecting Feeding America, "I know how much difference food and nourishment can make in one’s life. It was an easy choice."
The organizations supported by these Dashers are doing important work in communities across the country. We’re proud to have made contributions to:
Feeding America ®, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization
Innocence Project, a non-profit founded in 1992 by Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck at Cardozo School of Law, that exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and works to reform the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
No Kid Hungry, an organization with the mission to end child hunger in America today by ensuring that all children get the healthy food they need every day to thrive.
Operation Homefront, a nonprofit whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive — not simply struggle to get by — in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.
Replate, a nonprofit that leverages technology to connect businesses and organizations with surplus food to those in the community facing food security
Special Olympics, a global inclusion movement using not just sport, but also education, health and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities.
VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US, a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve force.
We know Dashers turn to DoorDash to meet their financial goals, find freedom and flexibility, and we will continue to find ways to help make the dreams of our communities a reality.
“Not only did DoorDash step up to recognize the hard work of their Dashers during a critical time but they also made an investment in helping Feeding America feed our neighbors. We are stronger together, thanks to partners like DoorDash,” said Lauren Biedron, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, Feeding America
"We are thrilled to be a recipient of this amazing program. Every dollar helps advance our mission to free the staggering number of innocent people who are still incarcerated and to reform the systems that allow these injustices to happen. We are immensely grateful for the support of the Dashers, who reflect the growing movement for real change that we are seeing in this country," said Christina Swarns, Executive Director, Innocence Project.
"We are so grateful to Marcos for directing this support to No Kid Hungry. With one in six kids living with hunger, our work has become more important than ever before, and individuals taking action in support of our cause is such a critical piece of our ability to make No Kid Hungry a reality," said Kristin Clauson, Director, Corporate Partnerships, Share Our Strength and the No Kid Hungry campaign.
“Operation Homefront is grateful for this generous donation, which will help further our mission to build strong, stable, and secure military families,” said Jill Eskin-Smith, Vice President, Corporate and Foundation Partnerships for Operation Homefront. “Thanks to the thoughtful gesture of a “Dasher” in Idaho, we can continue to help our military families start strong and stay strong in the communities that they have worked so hard to protect.”
"We are grateful for the Dasher's contribution to our work at Replate, and for our ongoing partnership with DoorDash. The money will go a long way towards our mission of reducing food waste, mitigating climate change and supporting those who face food insecurity. With $50,000, we will be able to serve around 75,000 meals to our nonprofit partners in the community. The recognition also encourages others to support Replate's initiatives, and create a system that is sustainable and equitable for all,” said Maen Mahfoud, Founder & CEO, Replate
“Special Olympics is tackling the inactivity, stigma, isolation, and injustice that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) face. Our work goes far beyond sports events, driving social change that enables full social participation for people with ID,” said Chad Jones, VP, Global Strategic Partnerships, Special Olympics International.
“The VFW is so pleased to be the recipient of $75,000 gifted by two Dashers who are also American veterans,” said VFW National Commander Hal Roesch. “Their generosity will work to ensure we’re able to continue to provide vital support to their fellow veterans, service members and their families.”
