WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema called on the administration to use already-approved coronavirus relief funds to help homebound Arizonans get food.
“Distributing already-approved coronavirus relief funds to homebound Arizona families is critical for the health and safety of Arizonans during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic,” said Sinema.
Sinema’s bipartisan letter requests the U.S. Department of Agriculture use $50 million in funding already approved by Congress to support the expansion of United Way’s Ride United Program. This program is a partnership between United Way, Door Dash, and other charitable entities that helps people with transportation barriers access needed services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program piloted a new effort to help with “last mile” delivery to ensure that fresh produce reached families with food insecurity.
The COVID-19 pandemic and rising unemployment has led to a spike in Americans experiencing hunger and long lines at food banks. United Way estimates the $50 million would enable five million deliveries to American families. This investment would help generate income and work opportunities for thousands of drivers and ensure food delivery for both urban and rural communities.
An expansion of the Ride United Program could include Arizona’s 211, which has been serving as the state’s official COVID-19 hotline. Arizona’s 211 receives thousands of calls a day from Arizonans in need of services and its call volume has increased 224% since 2019.
Click HERE to read Sinema’s letter.
Sinema has also added a bilingual resources page to her website, www.sinema.senate.gov/corona, for Arizonans looking for the latest information on coronavirus in English and Spanish.
