Food is top of mind for many this time of year, but food insecurity is a big issue in the region and across the U.S. More than 47 million people in the United States face hunger, and one in five children don’t have enough to eat. Amazon is helping combat the issue in the Puget Sound region through its Community Impact programs. The company has donated more than 8 million meals to food banks and pantries. It also innovated a unique way to go a step further. “We stepped back and asked ourselves ‘What else could Amazon do to address this problem?’ and thought about what we do best,” said Alice Shobe, Amazon’s global director of community impact. “So, we thought about delivery.” Amazon partners with organizations like the United Way to identify individuals and families in need, and delivery drivers pick up boxes of donated grocery items and deliver them to recipients’ houses. Amazon has delivered over 2 million meals across Puget Sound. “One of the best parts is that we started talking to the people that are receiving the food, and what we’ve learned is we’re really reaching people that otherwise are not getting the food that they need,” Shobe said. They live too far away, they’re working during food banks hours. So, we’re getting to them. And what they’ve shared with us is they’re saving about $100 a month in transportation. So we’re helping them with food they need, and we’re providing savings to their monthly expenses, which then translates into other things they can do for their families.” The team at Amazon also works to make affordable housing accessible in the community. The company provides low-cost loans and grants to nonprofits and for-profits developing affordable housing through the Amazon Housing Equity Fund. Amazon has allocated more than $780 million and helped house 19,000 people within the Puget Sound. This includes a new affordable 160-unit apartment building in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood which features 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom homes to house families and multi-generational households. As part of its overall community impact, Amazon has worked with more than 150 organizations, including providing disaster relief. “Amazon has some superpowers and delivering products quickly turns out to be really helpful during natural disasters,” Shobe said. During the holidays, Amazon also transforms part of its campus space in South Lake Union into a "Winter Wonderland" to provide a joyful shopping experience to families who otherwise couldn’t afford holiday presents. Employee volunteers work to make it a magical time for the families. “As a parent, when I look at the other parents’ faces, you can just see relief,” Shobe said. “They just feel so relieved that they’re able to provide some holiday presents for their kids.” Learn more about the company’s work in the community and download a full Community Impact Report on Amazon’s website. Sponsored by Amazon. Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest at 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.