Ride United

Closing transportation gaps caused by poverty, systemic racism, and other inequities is critical for securing employment, accessing medical care, obtaining healthy food, and dealing with emergencies and crises. Ride United was established in 2018 to support United Ways and 211 in reducing transportation barriers to help people in need across the United States. 

We believe that:

• Getting food and essential items (including pet food, hygiene items, and emergency preparation kits) should be as easy as possible, regardless of one’s circumstances. 
• Delivering essentials to those in need is not only life-changing, it can change the way we help our neighbors.

Background:

In April of 2020, when COVID-19 limited physical access to healthy food services, United Way and 211 partnered with DoorDash to launch Ride United Last Mile Delivery, which powered the delivery of charitable food and essential items. Although this program was catalyzed by the pandemic, it’s an innovative approach to long-standing food access issues in the United States. It served people in over 455 cities and towns and has provided more than 718,000 free deliveries of an estimated 9.1 million meals. 

As of June 2025, United Way Worldwide's partnership with DoorDash ended; however, the program continues in Steele County thanks to support from Olmsted Medical Center, The Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation, Project DASH, and funds raised here at United Way of Steele County.

Our Impact:

Currently, three of the four Owatonna churches that serve weekly Community Meals also provide meals to support Ride United and deliver prepared meals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday evenings for households in Owatonna that have barriers to transportation. Over 150 meals are delivered to 60+ homes per week. Thank you so much to St Joseph's Catholic Church, Bethel Church, and Trinity Lutheran Church for your partnership.