NYC Hiring Out of Work Taxi Drivers to Deliver Meals to Vulnerable Individuals

The coronavirus has affected people in numerous ways. Many have lost their jobs or even seen a sharp decrease in business. Now, the city of New York has a program to help ease both problems by paying idled cab drivers to deliver meals to those in need.

What We Know:

• According to CBS News, the city created the GetFoodNYC Food Delivery Program to help New Yorkers who are food insecure or vulnerable to the coronavirus. Since some of these people are not currently served through existing food delivery programs, the city decided to enlist licensed commercial drivers to help drop off food to people who must stay home.
• The Taxi and Limousine Commission, which is responsible for licensing and regulating taxis and other for-hire vehicles in New York City, is encouraging its drivers to sign up for the meal delivery program.
• The stay-at-home order has caused cab drivers to lose business. By participating in the meal delivery program, drivers can earn $15 per hour. So not only will vulnerable New Yorkers get food delivery, but drivers are getting a chance to make money during these financially difficult times.
• Mayor Bill de Blasio said last week that more than 11,000 taxi and for-hire drivers have signed up for the program. “What they’re doing is heroic,” de Blasio tweeted. “And it helps them earn a paycheck to put food on the table for their own families in the process.”
• The mayor stated that the city expects to have delivered millions of free meals. “We’re serving them out of more than 400 school hubs. And for seniors and vulnerable New Yorkers, we’re delivering to their door.”
• According to TLC, the drivers have helped deliver 6 million meals to New Yorkers in need as of Monday. “This is a tremendous contribution you have made to our city in one of the most difficult times in recent history,” the commission tweeted.

TLC drivers aren’t the only group using their cars to do good during this unprecedented time. Uber has partnered with Feeding America to deliver meals from more than 200 food banks across the country to those who need it the most.