He’s fighting food insecurity. His approach? Inspired by Amazon

For many people, the idea of being food insecure is abstract. But Dion Dawson has lived it. Growing up in Englewood, on Chicago’s South Side, his family was often homeless – and many times, he didn’t know where his next meal was coming from. “There were times we went hungry. There were times we only ate, you know, once that day, “ Dawson said. Food pantries were a lifeline, but he dreaded visiting them with his mother. “We’re in line hours before it even opens,” he said. “It was a lot of canned goods, ramen and ultra processed foods. … I didn’t have a favorite fruit growing up.” He remembers waiting in line outside in the rain and snow. For him, the experience was humiliating, no matter the weather. “You’re not treated as if you’re a person. You’re kind of a number,” he said.