Black Star News: Lyft Partnering With Non-profits To Provide COVID-19 Transportation Services

Lyft Partnering With Non-profits To Provide COVID-19 Transportation Services | April 6, 2020: Lyft today announced it is partnering with several New York-based non-profit organizations to provide access to transportation for seniors, essential workers, patients with important medical appointments and other communities in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lyft will provide free ride credits to these organizations through LyftUp, Lyft’s comprehensive effort to expand transportation access to those who need it most. In addition to helping those in need, the partnerships will create new opportunities for drivers and help distribute essential goods during the pandemic.

Lyft is partnering with Invisible Hands to provide rides for volunteers delivering food to seniors; National Supermarket Association (NSA) and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) to provide rides for seniors to get groceries during designated “senior/elderly hours;” Queens Community House (QCH) to provide rides for employees working in its senior center and food pantry; Ronald McDonald House New York to provide rides to patients to get to necessary medical appointments; Women in Need (Win) to provide rides for women in shelters to grocery stores and their places of employment; and World Central Kitchen (WCK) to provide rides for staff and volunteers who run satellite food distribution points around the city.

“It’s great to see Lyft helping to fill the crucial transportation gaps for the many community organizations who need them filled. This is corporate responsibility in action,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.

“We want to increase access to transportation for those who need it, particularly to meet their essential needs during this time. By activating LyftUp, we’re able to work with a number of local partners to fill mobility needs and increase food access for our community,” said Jen Hensley, Lyft’s Senior Director of Public Policy, New York. “We’re grateful to all those who drive with Lyft for helping provide rides for those in need. Lyft is committed to supporting drivers by creating new opportunities to help them earn additional income through the Lyft app, while continuously working to protect driver safety.”

Ben Thomases, Executive Director of Queens Community House, said “Queens Community House’s number one priority at this time is the safety of our employees and participants. While the majority of staff are working from home, a select few continue to commute every day to serve our most vulnerable neighbors. Lyft’s generous gift helps reduce the likelihood that these essential workers will come in contact with the virus on public transportation and provides some peace of mind to us all.”

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