CINCINNATI — Amazon contributed $100,000 to the Freestore Foodbank, helping the organization continue its efforts as a grocery delivery service.

Thomas Stumpe, senior manager, took a break from everyday work for a day of service. While stocking the shelves, he compared the task to the everyday flow at Amazon, keeping things moving to make sure everyone gets what they need.

“Boxes in order, nice and tight, organized and clean," he said. "Each person that comes through is able to get their six boxes of spaghetti.”

About 60 Amazon volunteers worked in shifts at the Freestore Foodbank Market in Cincinnati, boxing up food and helping visitors shop for groceries. The mission is part of Amazon's Community Delivery Program, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver food to families in need. 

"We noticed that the first wave of COVID, there were these disproportional increases in the amount of families that needed access to food," Stumpe said. "Then we did the community delivery program, saw the successes and I think that just represents our commitment to growing in our communities." 

The program delivers food to doorsteps, saving families $100 a month on average. Kurt Reiber, CEO of the Freestore Foodbank, said it will continue to serve the I-275 loop around the greater Cincinnati area, along with Kentucky and Indiana. 

“We serve eight counties in southern Ohio, nine counties in northern Kentucky and three counties in eastern Indiana," Reiber said. "We will be meeting the needs of those families through our pantry network."

The Amazon Community Delivery Program has provided more than 1.5 million meals to at-risk families in the greater Cincinnati area since 2021. 

“I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to represent Amazon and work with amazing volunteers from Amazon to make sure that this store has everything needed to support our community," Stumpe said.