Delivering With Dignity Orange County, an emergency response service to the healthcare and economic crisis created by the novel coronavirus was launched on June 24th. In our project, we arrange volunteers or “Food Heroes” to pick up food from various restaurants and deliver meals to the most vulnerable and isolated individuals in Orange County.
DWD is working with numerous non-profit partners to identify individual recipients who need the program based on “Triple Threat” criteria: 1) At highest risk for COVID-19 per CDC guidelines; 2) Ineligible or not served by any community organization for the provision of food to their homes; 3) Financially unable to meet their food needs without leaving their home, and do not have a reliable support system of friends or family to assist.
Through partnerships with locally-owned restaurants, leading nonprofit agencies, and private corporations, the program delivers 3 balanced, nutritious dinner meals directly to the doorsteps of these residents and keeps dozens of restaurant staff employed.