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DoorDash is launching an emergency food response program this month to help feed families affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown that has delayed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The company said it will deliver 1 million meals for free in November through the partnership of more than 300 food banks and pantries participating in its Project DASH program.

DoorDash is also waiving delivery and service fees for approximately 300,000 grocery orders placed by SNAP recipients at participating grocery stores.

In California, SNAP benefits are distributed through the CalFresh program.

The company said it will donate fresh and shelf-stable food, as well as household essential items, from its DashMart locations to local food banks in affected communities.

“The food security of millions of people who rely on SNAP is at dire risk,” said Eric Mitchell, president of the Alliance to End Hunger. “We know that the only viable solution is to ensure SNAP benefits are being delivered in full to those in need of food assistance as soon as possible.”

The program has partnered with California food banks in the past; from August 2021 through July 2022, the company partnered with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to complete more than 68,000 deliveries through Project DASH. To date, the program has powered over 600,000 deliveries — 9.6 million meals — through San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.

DoorDash Vice President and Global Head of Public Policy Max Rettig said fighting hunger is central to the company’s mission.

“No one should go hungry in America — period,” Rettig said. “Millions of families are worried right now about how they’ll put food on the table. Fighting hunger is core to our mission at DoorDash, and we’re stepping up alongside leading grocers and retailers to help bridge the gap.”

DoorDash encouraged food banks to contact the company to inquire about joining Project DASH and urged individuals to donate to the Feeding America network or to local food banks.

The program will run through Nov. 30.