PRESIDENT ’ S VIEW
DoorDash is Delivering Economic Help to NJ Businesses & Charities
Project DASH partners with local New Jersey nonprofits .
By Anthony Russo President , CIANJ
Without a doubt , technology has revolutionized our lives . Apps help us do everything from banking to navigating through traffic , to forecasting when a rain will start . But none of them satisfies our basic needs as well as DoorDash — the largest third-party delivery service that brings food , groceries , convenience store items and much more to our doors .
For a nine-year-old business , its impact is startling , and we are very proud to count this innovative San Francisco-based company among the newest members at CIANJ . As a statewide business advocacy organization , we are committed to helping businesses grow . We are delighted by the strides DoorDash has taken in New Jersey to empower local economies and collaborate with a wider array of merchants to help them enhance their operations .
Restaurant revenue and Dasher ( driver ) earnings generated through the DoorDash platform
DoorDash is especially beneficial to homebound seniors , the disabled , and people who face transportation access challenges .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / DGLimages accounted for a whopping $ 13.2 billion in direct , indirect and induced economic activity in 2019 , according to a study conducted by Technomic , a research firm for the food service industry .
The consulting firm surveyed restaurant operators to better understand the role third-party delivery and DoorDash played during the COVID crisis . All the findings were published in a white paper that chronicles the overwhelming benefits , including that DoorDash helped businesses grow their online presence and increase takeout orders . The technology decreased faceto-face interactions , eliminating the long phone process to receive orders because it could now be done in minutes online .
Some 75 percent of the businesses credited DoorDash for helping them reach new customers . They also reported an increase in brand awareness that fostered growth . The vast majority of the respondents said DoorDash was crucial to keep them afloat during COVID restrictions .
Technomics concluded DoorDash added $ 6.9 billion to the U . S . economy that otherwise would not have existed . Furthermore , the researchers found every $ 1 of incremental spending on food on DoorDash stimulated an additional $ 2.37 in the economy .
The researchers also analyzed the platform ’ s effect on the Dashers and concluded 76 percent felt their income from dashing had a positive impact on their ability to provide for their families . Some 76 percent of the Dashers suffered hardship during COVID . Among the consumers , 86 percent said the app played an important role in accessing food during COVID .
DoorDash offers a wide range of options to assist its partners with add-on services , like marketing for instance . But its reach into the community goes beyond business relationships . It is working to fight food insecurity and has developed “ Project DASH ” to accomplish its goals .
It ’ s designed to meet people where there is a need and deliver goods from local food banks , solving problems that occur in that last mile of logistics .
Project DASH partners with local New Jersey nonprofits to better serve their clients , a DoorDash spokesperson explained . It ’ s especially helpful for homebound seniors , people with disabilities , and people who face transportation access challenges . People can be reluctant to enter a food bank also . “ We help connect people to convenient deliveries of charitable food that emphasize dignity as well ,” he said .
During the pandemic , Project DASH grew to deliver meals , groceries , household goods and school supplies to seniors , the immunocompromised , and families facing food insecurity or transportation barriers .
The spokesperson said DoorDash partnered with local policymakers from all levels of government — including U . S . Representative Josh Gottheimer ( NJ-05 ), Assemblywoman Lisa Swain ( District 38 ) Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur , and Bergenfield Borough Administrator Corey Gallo — in December to help deliver hundreds of hot meals generously donated by local restaurants to seniors in the community . Meals purchased as part of this effort came through Feed The Frontlines NJ , helping to support the organization and its efforts to provide meals for healthcare workers and local groups battling the pandemic .
Another initiative DoorDash created is the Community Credits program , which provides nonprofit organizations with DoorDash credit to help them empower the communities they serve , reduce food insecurity and encourage participation in programs that help them accomplish their mission . The initiative was launched last year and continues to serve organizations throughout New Jersey .
We are delighted by the strides DoorDash has taken in New Jersey to empower local economies and collaborate with a wider array of merchants to help them enhance their operations .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / andresr
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