May 15, 2025 11:41 AM
Amazon contributes $250,000 to the Chinatown International District to establish Ambassadors Program, fostering a safe and vibrant neighborhood
Mayor Harrell announces a combined $1 million investment by the City, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), and Amazon to improve “blocks, businesses, and lives” in the heart of the historic neighborhood.
In a shared effort to support safety, economic revitalization, and community well-being in one of Seattle’s most historic and culturally rich neighborhoods, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, TAAF, Amazon, and the Chinatown International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) announced the Chinatown-International District (CID) Ambassadors Program, launching June 1, 2025.
The CID Ambassadors Program will train neighborhood ambassadors to serve Japantown, Chinatown, and Little Saigon. These teams will work block by block to assist small businesses, welcome visitors, and foster safer, more vibrant neighborhoods.
"The Chinatown-International District is a vital part of Seattle's cultural and economic fabric and Amazon is proud to support the CID Ambassadors Program as part of our contributions to the revitalization of this important neighborhood,” said David Zapolsky, Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer of Amazon. “Our investments in Friends of Little Sài Gòn and to revive the CID Night Market reinforce our commitment to fostering economic development, public safety, and cultural celebration.”
This also marks the launch of TAAF’s new “TAAF Cities” initiative to spur historic public and private investment to strengthen cities with large Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations, of which Amazon is a founding partner. “TAAF Cities” bring together local community, government, business, and nonprofit leaders to develop innovative, community-rooted solutions that promote economic opportunity, safety, and cultural pride. Seattle, a major cultural and economic hub with some of the nation’s oldest and most dynamic AAPI communities, was chosen to kickstart the effort.”
May 8, 2025 6:49 AM
Amazon's Josh Hirschland named to Puget Sound Business Journal's 40 Under 40
Puget Sound Business Journal named Josh Hirschland, principal product manager for Amazon Community Impact, a 40 Under 40 honoree for his innovative work addressing food insecurity in the Puget Sound community.
As the Amazon Community Delivery program lead, Hirschland applies his logistics expertise to create sustainable, scalable solutions that help get meals directly to the doorsteps of community members in need. Under his guidance, Amazon has offered pro bono delivery for more than 40 million meals to people experiencing food insecurity since 2020—2 million meals across the Puget Sound region.
The program launched during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when food pantries faced unprecedented demand and many families couldn't leave their homes. Hirschland leveraged Amazon's last-mile delivery network to bridge this gap, transforming an initial pilot into a fully operational program within weeks.
Today, Amazon Community Delivery partners with more than 35 organizations in 16 states and expanded to the UK last year. In the Puget Sound region, Amazon collaborates with seven different food banks, including United Way of King County, to serve more than 4,000 families.
Amazon believes everyone should have access to healthy food and continues to address the rising rates of food insecurity by partnering with local organizations.
May 5, 2025 1:40 PM
Amazon's community impact in the Puget Sound
May 5, 2025 1:37 PM
Amazon is helping fund 9,900+ affordable homes across the Puget Sound
Jared Johnson of Chinatown Preservation & Development talks with Seattleites about Beacon Pacific Village, an affordable housing community with a childcare center and healthy aging and wellness center, situated close to transit, schools, healthcare, and shopping. This multi-generational community received a $3M grant from Amazon’s housing fund, which has fund or preserve more than 9,900 affordable homes across the Puget Sound.
Watch the video to learn more.
May 1, 2025 1:44 PM
Amazon and the Seattle Storm engage Puget Sound youth through Community Hoops clinics
Amazon's continued partnership with the Seattle Storm is supporting the second annual series of Community Hoops clinics—a collaborative effort to bring free, accessible basketball programming to youth across the Puget Sound region.
As part of the collaboration, 45 youth participants from Mary’s Place participated in a clinic at the Storm’s Center for Basketball Performance in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood—many of them experiencing the sport for the first time. A five-week series at the Family First Community Center in Renton welcomed 50 youth weekly from the Benson Hill neighborhood. In Tukwila, 88 students from elementary to high school levels came together for a day of skills-building and community.
“The kids had a wonderful time and were so grateful for the experience,” said Zoë Bill, Youth Services Director at Mary’s Place. “Beyond enjoying basketball, they walked away feeling celebrated and a part of something special. Opportunities like this have a lasting impact.”
The Seattle Storm’s youth basketball program, Jr. Storm, leads the clinics—putting together drills, offering encouragement, and sharing their love for the game. Their involvement helps create an inspiring environment where kids not only learn basketball fundamentals but also connect with role models.
In 2024, Amazon and the Storm hosted eight clinics in partnership with local organizations—reaching hundreds of young athletes and their families. These clinics are just one example of the many ways Amazon invests in local communities across the Puget Sound. We remain committed to supporting neighborhoods where our employees and customers live and work through collaboration with local organizations and programs that create meaningful opportunities for future generations.
April 22, 2025 9:42 AM
Amazon gives $2 million to support critical food security initiatives in Seattle region
Amazon's investment will help two local food banks expand their capacity to serve community members with essential groceries and services.
Amazon provided $2 million to support the growth of two food banks in the Seattle region, with grants of $1 million each to White Center Food Bank and Rainier Valley Food Bank. The donations will help both organizations expand their capacity to provide more community members experiencing food insecurity with vital groceries.
White Center Food Bank will use Amazon's grant to support its move to their new, permanent facility in downtown White Center. The location provides improved accessibility through nearby public transportation routes and allows the organization to expand its services.
Rainier Valley Food Bank will use its grant to support the renovation and expansion of its facility. The improvements will create a community food hub with that can meet urgent food needs with increased capacity for food storage, a commercial kitchen, and gathering spaces to build community.
In addition to supporting the critical work of local food banks, Amazon is committed to addressing food insecurity through multiple initiatives across the communities where we operate. We collaborate with nonprofit organizations, leverage our logistics expertise, and engage our employees to help provide millions of meals to individuals and families in need. Since 2020, our Community Delivery program, which provides free delivery of charitable groceries, has delivered more than 40 million meals with 35 partners in 16 states.
February 27, 2025 4:49 PM
Amazon's $100 million commitment to affordable housing in the City of Bellevue
Amazon is committing $100 million in the City of Bellevue to accelerate the production of affordable housing for low-to-moderate income families. This commitment will support projects throughout Bellevue, with a particular focus on projects supported by the City and on Bellevue's three city-owned transit-oriented sites—giving low-to-moderate income families close proximity to community resources.
David Zapolsky, Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer at Amazon, announced the news at the ground breaking of Spring District, a BRIDGE Housing Community that will bring 234 affordable homes to the City of Bellevue through a transit-oriented development.
February 26, 2025 1:20 PM
Amazon’s return to office boosts Seattle’s foot traffic and local economy
Amazon teams returning to offices are playing a major role in the continued revitalization of downtown Seattle. New data is showing a surge in foot traffic—benefiting local businesses and the broader downtown economy.
The Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) reports that weekday worker foot traffic in South Lake Union and the Denny Triangle reached 74% of January 2019 levels, up from 62% the previous year. Across downtown, foot traffic increased 9% from January 2024, reaching 57% of pre-pandemic levels. Nearly 2 million unique visitors came downtown in January, 14% more than the previous year.
Amazon’s presence has been a key driver of this uptick. Our 50,000 Seattle employees, along with those in Bellevue and Redmond, are bringing a sense of renewed vibrancy to these communities. Amazon teams are also feeling energized by the shift—excited by the innovation, collaboration, and connection that takes place with teams collaborating in-person.
Many local business owners are noticing a welcome increase in weekday customers. “Coffee shops are full, lunch spots are buzzing, and there’s more activity in the area,” noted Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes.
Read more about Amazon’s return to office plans as we continue to spark energy and innovation on behalf of Amazon’s customers.
February 3, 2025 10:44 AM
Amazon’s commitment to flexible, sustainable commutes in HQ1
At Amazon, we value the connections and opportunities that come from being part of vibrant, downtown communities. By investing in innovative transit options and fostering partnerships, we are able to offer employees a variety of commuter benefits and services to reach their destinations.
Across our headquarters cities and in other major metro areas, our employees have access to a variety of reimbursable public transportation costs, free commuter shuttles, and flexible monthly subsidies for commuting expenses.
In Puget Sound, we take additional steps to enhance connectivity and help reduce traffic congestion, including:
- Expanded shuttle services: We increased shuttle routes serving our Puget Sound HQ, including over 30 commuter shuttle routes as far as Mill Creek, North Bend, and West Seattle, intercampus shuttles between our Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond offices, and shuttles that transport Amazonians to the office from transit hubs and locations around the Puget Sound region.
- Rideshare: Amazon recently launched a first of its kind Lyft Pass program in Seattle and Bellevue, allowing employees to utilize their Flexible Commuter Subsidy to match rides with fellow Amazonians.
- Biking: Through their Flexible Commuter Subsidy, Amazon employees can utilize the subsidy to cover costs including: bike leases, bike-share, maintenance, and bike parking. Offices also include bike cages for storage and showers for bikers to get ready for the work day.
- Sustainable transportation partnerships: Amazon is proud to support local partners that share a commitment to greener commuting options. BellHop, the first all-electric shuttle service in the Pacific Northwest, is one partnership that helps employees replace car trips with a sustainable micro-transit option.
- Investing in public infrastructure: We work with policymakers and support transit investments that help expand access to public transportation.
- Amazon advocated for the Move Ahead Washington statewide transportation package which funds over $730 million in traffic reduction projects, including free transit for residents age 18 or younger.
- Amazon has contributed more than $1.6 million to campaigns that have expanded transit access and invested in and preserved transportation infrastructure.
- Amazon directly invests in transportation infrastructure, including $10.8 million toward Eastrail and the Grand Connection Crossing.
As we move forward, Amazon will continue to explore new ways to enhance our employees’ commute experiences while helping build stronger, greener communities.