SEATTLE — Food is top of mind for many this time of year, but food insecurity is a big issue in the region and across the U.S. More than 47 million people in the United States face hunger, and one in five children don’t have enough to eat.
Amazon is helping combat this issue in the Puget Sound region and has donated more than 8 million meals to families.
“We stepped back and asked ourselves ‘What else could Amazon do to address this problem?’ and thought about what we do best,” said Alice Shobe, Amazon’s global director of community impact. “So, we thought about delivery.”
Amazon works with organizations like the United Way and local food banks to help deliver food to homes that need it.
“One of the best parts is that we started talking to the people that are receiving the food, and what we’ve learned is we’re really reaching people that otherwise are not getting the food that they need,” Shobe said.
The team at Amazon also works to make affordable housing accessible in the community. The company provides low-cost loans and grants to nonprofits and for-profits developing affordable housing. So far, Amazon has allocated more than $780 million and helped house 19,000 people. This includes a new affordable 160-unit apartment building in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood.
As part of its overall community impact, Amazon has worked with more than 150 organizations, including providing disaster relief.
“Amazon has some superpowers and delivering products quickly turns out to be really helpful during natural disasters,” Shobe said.
Amazon also transforms part of its campus space in South Lake Union into a Winter Wonderland to provide a joyful shopping experience to families who otherwise couldn’t afford holiday presents. Employee volunteers work hard to make it a magical time for the families.
“As a parent, when I look at the other parents’ faces, you can just see relief,” Shobe said. “They just feel so relieved that they’re able to provide some holiday presents for their kids.”
Learn more about the company’s work in the community and download a full Community Impact Report on Amazon’s website.
Sponsored by Amazon.
Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest at 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.