What programs does Instacart have to support the local community?

Our social impact program, Instacart Serves, aims to nourish our communities by helping to remove barriers to food access and enrich the lives of our communities through an annual volunteer week of service, grocery donations, disaster relief, and giving campaigns. The Instacart Serves program focuses support across three main areas: food insecurity, supporting traditionally marginalized communities, and disaster relief.

Food Insecurity: The majority of our philanthropic support is dedicated to helping to remove barriers to food access and hunger relief with our primary giving partner, Feeding America. We recognize that food insecurity disproportionately affects diverse communities and we also work to raise awareness for this growing inequity.

Supporting Traditionally Marginalized Communities: We are committed to standing up for injustice and equity, supporting organizations that challenge economic justice, and uplifting traditionally marginalized communities.

Disaster Relief: In the event of natural disasters which severely impact the communities we serve, we provide disaster relief through financial or grocery donations to centers and organizations supporting evacuees and first responders.

What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?

This year, we also launched a #GiveFromTheCart Challenge for employees and customers alike to turn their grocery shopping into an opportunity to give back and fight rising hunger in the wake of COVID-19. The Instacart Serves program also provides support to communities impacted by natural disasters including the Camp Fires, Woolsey Fires, Kincade Fires, and the most recent series of wildfires burning across California in 2020. We supported local evacuation centers and first responders through monetary, grocery, and a supply donation of various items in need.

In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?

Every year, Instacart serves up opportunities for employees to donate groceries and funds to support their local communities. For the upcoming holiday season, were launching a Virtual Food Drive program for employees to support local food banks and communities in need. Through the program, employees are encouraged to place an Instacart order of pantry staples to be delivered directly to their local food banks. Instacart is proud to match every order by donating 100 meals to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada, up to half a million meals.

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