As the Gulf Coast begins recovering from the devastating back-to-back hurricanes, some of Hollywood’s biggest names are stepping up to support relief efforts.
Hot on the heels of Taylor Swift’s staggering $5 million donation to Feeding America, her close friends Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have announced their seven-figure contribution to the cause.
The beloved celebrity couple is donating $1 million to Feeding America. This non-profit organization has been at the forefront of providing food, water, and other essential supplies to communities ravaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“We’re incredibly proud to support Feeding America,” Reynolds and Lively said in a joint statement. “Thank you to the amazing people on the ground providing essential needs for families who’ve lost so much in this brutal disaster. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the double tragedy of these hurricanes.”
Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot expressed the organization’s profound gratitude for the donation, calling Reynolds and Lively “longtime supporters” who have consistently stepped up in times of crisis.
“Their support of Feeding America has helped our network on the ground before, during, and after disasters,” Babineaux-Fontenot said. “These funds will help food banks provide basic needs like water, ready-to-eat food, and supplies to communities facing heartbreaking loss and a long recovery.”
It’s been just over two weeks since Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, slammed into the Florida coast, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The devastation was compounded only by the arrival of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Florida on Wednesday a dangerous Category 3 system.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the storms have already proven catastrophic. At least 17 people have been killed, and more than 3 million are without power across the region. Countless homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure have been decimated.
In the face of such overwhelming hardship, Reynolds, Lively, and their famous friends have answered the call for help. Just a day before the Reynolds-Lively donation was announced, Babineaux-Fontenot had revealed that Taylor Swift had generously contributed $5 million to Feeding America’s hurricane relief efforts.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift for her generous $5 million donation to Hurricanes Milton and Helene relief efforts,” the CEO said. “This contribution will help communities rebuild and recover, providing essential food, clean water, and supplies to people affected by these devastating storms.”
The music superstar’s longtime support for Feeding America has been well documented, and her latest gift will significantly impact the cause.
Dolly Parton has also stepped up, pledging $1 million to Mountain Ways, which provides immediate relief to the Appalachian region. And NFL legend Tom Brady has donated $100,000 to hurricane relief, with his donation matched by the online retailer Gopuff.
As these famous faces mobilize their resources and platforms to aid those in need, it’s a powerful reminder of the impact that the celebrity community can have when they come together for a common cause.
“Together, we can make a real impact in supporting families as they navigate the challenges ahead,” Babineaux-Fontenot said. “Thank you, Taylor, Ryan, Blake, and all our partners, for standing with us in the movement to end hunger and for helping communities in need.”
With the recovery efforts expected to stretch on for months, if not years, the support of high-profile donors will be crucial in providing the necessary resources and relief to those whose lives have been upended by these historic storms.
Reynolds, Lively, Swift, and others’ generosity is not just about writing a check. It’s about using their immense influence to inspire others to join the cause and help their fellow citizens in their greatest need.