Uber Eats has launched a new program to give users in New York the ability to contribute to their favorite local restaurants directly through the delivery app at checkout. Announced by Janelle Sallenave, head of Uber Eats for the U.S. and Canada, the delivery provider will then match every contribution with a donation to the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund up to $5 million.
“The restaurant industry is being decimated by this virus, and it’s going to take people helping people to get through it,” says Paul Barker, owner of Pauli’s North End in Boston, Massachusetts, an Uber Eats partner. “As business owners, my wife and I are focused on helping our staff put food on their tables. Efforts like Uber Eats’ and Guy Fieri’s with the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund are rising to the occasion—helping people to help the people in their communities when they need it most.”
After a trial period in New York City, the company plans to expand the feature across the United States and into other countries in the coming weeks.
In examining its order volume over recent weeks, Uber Eats has seen a significant increase in orders specifically going to independent restaurants, with the company speculating that customers are eager to support their favorite local restaurants. The company added that new restaurants coming onto the platform are 10 times higher than previous rates.
More information about the program, including Uber’s other restaurant relief efforts, can be found here.
