TOLEDO, Ohio — Two area food pantries are working with the United Way of Greater Toledo and DoorDash to provide food assistance to those who need it but struggle to leave their homes.
Arlene and Bill Huckaby have had a food pantry at Greater Grace Christian Church in central Toledo since 2018.
Arlene said the food delivery effort is a blessing for their pantry.
"To be able to reach those, especially seniors that are shut in and don't have families to provide their needs, this is the blessing that we've been praying for," she said.
The couple has always wanted to deliver food to those who couldn't come to their pantry in person but said they haven't had the resources.
"When I received the call from United Way it was a no-brainer," Bill said. "We just went right ahead and jumped in with both feet and we're making an impact for sure."
Emily Matthews, the program manager for United Way 211, helps run the new delivery program through DoorDash.
United Way sends DoorDash drivers to Greater Grace or Brown Bag Food Project in Bowling Green. The food pantries then give a box of food to the drivers who are paid through DoorDash.
More than 200 people in Lucas and Wood counties have been served through the program, Matthews said.
"Really great partnerships that we have with a lot of coverage area," she said. "But we are looking to expand that coverage area so that we can deliver to more folks."
United Way is looking for not only more food pantries, but also providers with items like pet food or household goods.
Bill urged more people in other nearby counties to join forces.
"We're all in this together," he said. "We've got to work together and we've got to help one another."
For providers who are interested in taking part in this program, you can email Emily Matthews at ematthews@211toledoteam.org.
For those in need of food assistance, you can dial 2-1-1 for more information on the service.