Partnership Supports COVID-19 Hunger Crisis Response
As more and more Americans face hunger as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, WhyHunger—a leader in the movement to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world—has partnered with Waze—the platform bringing together communities on and off the road empowering them to contribute data, edit Waze maps and carpool—to integrate its robust database of tens of thousands of emergency food providers into the app.
For over two decades, WhyHunger has operated a national Hotline and suite of digital tools designed to connect people to free, nutritious food in their communities. During times of personal, local, and national crisis, WhyHunger is there to help people find nutritious food and essential services, especially fresh local produce, meal delivery, nutrition and cooking classes, job training, and more.
“Before COVID-19 hit, 37 million Americans were struggling with hunger. This number will grow exponentially as unemployment continues to soar. WhyHunger has a strong history of ensuring people, including the most vulnerable populations, can find food when they need it,” said Noreen Springstead, executive director, WhyHunger. “By integrating our database of tens of thousands of food providers with the Waze map, we can help serve even more people who are so deeply affected by this national crisis and connect them with one of life’s most critical resources and a basic human right – nutritious food.”
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak around the globe, Waze has activated its community and network of partners across its Volunteer Communities, Waze for Cities programs, and more, teaming up with WhyHunger to support their crisis response.
“Despite the overall decrease in number of people on the road, there are still essential journeys that need to be made every day. We want to provide our users with as much useful information as possible to help them get where they need to be. By partnering with WhyHunger, we are able to help our users find and access food within their community,” said Dani Simons, Head of Public Sector Partnerships, Waze.
To learn more about WhyHunger’s work or to donate to the Rapid Response Fund, which will help expand the organization’s national Find Food Database, Hotline & Texting service, visit: https://whyhunger.org/rapidresponsedonate/.
About WhyHunger
Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger believes a world without hunger is possible. We provide critical resources to support grassroots movements and fuel community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial and economic justice. A four-star rated charity by Charity Navigator, WhyHunger is working to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world. Learn more at whyhunger.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Waze
Waze is where people and technology meet to solve transportation challenges. It’s a platform that empowers communities to contribute road data, edit Waze maps, and carpool to improve the way we move about the world. Thanks to Wazers everywhere, Waze is able to partner with municipalities and transit authorities to reduce traffic and congestion—leveraging current infrastructure while impacting city planning.
A world with better transportation doesn’t have to be in the distant future. By harnessing the power of community to reverse negative trends in transportation, Waze can create a world where traffic is history.
