SkipTheDishes Commits A Total Of Over $15 Million To Help Canadians During COVID-19 Crisis

Hungry to help Canadians, the delivery app commits an additional estimated $10 million to local restaurants on their network and donates $1 million to Food Banks Canada to support our most vulnerable neighbours

WINNIPEG, April 16, 2020 /CNW/ - SkipTheDishes, Canada's largest and most popular food delivery service, is hungry to help Canadians through these challenging times brought on by COVID-19. The delivery service app is giving an additional estimated $10 million back to communities and restaurant partners through a variety of meaningful commitments.

At the start of the crisis, SkipTheDishes launched a 30-day support package for restaurants on its network that has since directed more than $5 million back to its partners across the country. SkipTheDishes is proud to announce that it will be extending this support package, which includes a rebate of 25% to help local and independent restaurant partners whose dining rooms remain closed. This initiative will give over $10 million back to restaurants through direct rebates and marketing support.

"Restaurants are the heart and soul of communities across Canada and the industry is facing unprecedented hardships. Though we know our support package doesn't solve all of the challenges our restaurant partners are facing, we're hoping it will help make an impact as we all work together to get through these exceptional times," says Kevin Edwards, CEO of SkipTheDishes.

As an immediate response to COVID-19, SkipTheDishes also introduced the option for customers to support local restaurants by directly leaving them a tip, with 100% of contributions going directly to their restaurant of choice. In just a few short weeks, Skip customers have raised over $200,000 to help neighbourhood eateries stay in business.

"The immediate outpouring of support we've seen from our customers in their local communities has been truly inspiring. Food continues to be a strengthening bond for many through these difficult times, and at its core SkipTheDishes is about feeding Canadians," said Edwards.

Inspired by this generosity, SkipTheDishes is launching a $1 million partnership with Food Banks Canada - the leading national food bank network working to relieve hunger during this critical time, and beyond. The partnership starts with an immediate $200,000 donation to match our customers kindness, with additional contributions to be made throughout the year.

"We're beginning to see a surge in demand across Canada at local food banks as many more people have recently fallen on hard times. This partnership with SkipTheDishes will help us restock empty shelves at food banks across the country and ensure food banks have the support needed to feed those in critical need," says Chris Hatch, Chief Executive Officer of Food Banks Canada.

Supporting Canadians and helping keep them nourished through this crisis is a priority for SkipTheDishes. With free delivery from thousands of restaurants and no added service fees, it's committed to keeping food delivery accessible as Canadians stay home to help flatten the curve.

About SkipTheDishes
At SkipTheDishes, we know you deserve great delivery. As Canada's most popular food delivery app, we deliver millions of orders every month to hungry Canadians. Our world-class, unparalleled technology powers a network with tens of thousands of restaurant partners coast-to-coast in hundreds of communities.

SkipTheDishes is proudly part of the Just Eat Group. Headquartered in the UK, Just Eat is a world-leader in the food delivery marketplace, with Skip's renowned technology accelerating their global growth.

About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network from coast-to-coast-to-coast. For 40 years, food banks have been dedicated to helping Canadians living with food insecurity.  Over 3,000 food banks and community agencies come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours who – last year – made 1.1 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our HungerCount report. Over the past 10 years, as a system we've sourced and shared over 1.4 billion pounds of food and Food Banks Canada shared nearly $70 million in funding to help maximize collective impact and strengthen local capacity – while advocating for reducing the need for food banks.  Our vision is clear: create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit www.foodbankscanada.ca  to learn more.

SOURCE SkipTheDishes

Media contact: SkipTheDishes: [e-mail]; Proof Inc.: Sabena Singh | [e-mail]; Food Banks Canada: Sarah Soteroff | [e-mail]