The Yellow Banana grocery stores have closed officially, a grocery store in the Chicago metropolitan area.
This is why seniors who must get around to other grocery stores find it difficult to do so without accessible transportation. Lyft is coming in to the rescue.
Transportation assistance
Mayor Brandon Johnson, from the bike improvement initiative previously reported here on RSF, is back, but this time with another team-up with Lyft Chicago to provide transportation assistance for seniors who will have to get around after the grocery store’s closure.
“Recent grocery store closures have created real challenges for many of our seniors, and while this program is not a long-term solution, it will provide immediate relief by helping eligible older adults get to the grocery store and other essential destinations,” stated Johnson. “I’m thankful to Lyft, Metro Chicago, and 211 Metro Chicago for stepping up to support our residents as we continue working to expand food access across our communities.”
What seniors can get
Eligible seniors are entitled to get up to two $25 Lyft ride credits for a total value of $50 to help these people travel to grocery stores and other essential areas of destinations. While this may be temporary, since the mayor’s office is constant in creating long-term solutions to strengthen food access in affected communities, in the meantime that there are grocery store closures, it provides immediate relief.
“Our mission at Lyft is to serve and connect our communities, and that means showing up when a neighborhood suddenly loses access to something as essential as a grocery store,” Lyft’s Public Policy Manager Arielle Maffei told Ridesharingforum.com. “When the City of Chicago reached out, we moved quickly to get rides into the hands of the seniors who needed them most, partnering with Metro Chicago and 211 Metro Chicago to make it as simple as possible. We’re very, very thankful for the chance to support the communities where we live and work, and to be part of a response that brought the public, private, and non-profit sectors together so fast.”
Metro Chicago is willing to work their very best for this deal with the Chicago government and Lyft.
They stated, “Metro Chicago thanks our partnership together with the City of Chicago and Lyft to help senior residents overcome transportation barriers and access the food they need. By connecting residents to rides and other critical supports through 211 Metro Chicago, this partnership helps ensure that grocery store closures and food access challenges do not prevent people from meeting their basic needs. Collaborations like this demonstrate the power of working together to strengthen our communities and improve quality of life for all Chicagoans.”
How these perks can work
Under this program, 1,000 ride codes will be distributed, which are valued at $25 each until September 30th, or up until the full $25.000 award from Lyft gets spent. Eligible seniors may receive up to two codes for a total of $50 value.
However, there are qualifications. To be eligible, the senior must:
- Be age 60 or older
- Live in one of the following ZIP codes: 60617, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60624, 60628, 60629, 60643, or 60649
- Download and use the official Lyft app to redeem the ride credit
If you are eligible, you may call 2-1-1 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to request transportation assistance. You will have to complete a brief eligibility screening.
There is a 2-1-1 Resource Navigator to assist you with downloading the Lyft app, redeeming your ride code, and ordering a ride, if you are not knowledgeable. Caregivers are more than welcome to help these seniors. Ridesharing, and so much more on this site!