George and Amal Clooney donate more than $1 million for COVID-19 relief and other stars who are giving back
Elton John, Angelina Jolie, Kanye West and more are also pitching in to help.
As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to affect more than 1.5 million people across the globe, stars are using their platforms to raise awareness about the virus and donate money to help those in need.
With many children left without access to meals due to nationwide school closures, many celebrities are calling attention to various food shelters and initiatives. Others are donating to help purchase more ventilators and provide shelter to those without resources.
Check out some of the stars who are helping out during this challenging time.
George and Amal Clooney
The couple made a donation of over $1 million to several organizations supporting COVID-19 relief.
The Clooneys donated $250,000 each to the Motion Picture and Television Fund, which supports workers in the entertainment industry affected by the pandemic, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation COVID-19 relief fund and the Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles' Emergency COVID-19 fund.
They also donated to international organizations including the Lebanese Food Bank, the United Kingdom's National Health Service and more.
Rachael Ray
The celebrity chef announced she is donating $4 million to COVID-19 relief through her The Rachael Ray Foundation and Yum-o! organization.
The donation will be split between supporting food initiatives for those in need, like Feeding America, Share Our Strength and World Central Kitchen, and supporting animal welfare relief initiatives during the pandemic.
Some of the animal welfare organizations Ray's donation will support include the North Shore Animal League, Best Friends Animal Society, Austin Pets Alive, Big Dog Ranch and more.
"We have been at this for a decade, and I never wanted to ask people to donate to the philanthropies I personally care about," Ray shared on her website. "So we have always directed portions of the proceeds from the sale of many of our products — from pet food to pots and pans — to charitable giving."
Elton John
The singer announced that his nonprofit organization, the Elton John Aids Foundation, is launching a $1 million COVID-19 Emergency Fund to help people across the globe during the novel coronavirus pandemic, especially those with HIV who are vulnerable to the virus.
"For almost 30 years, my foundation has prioritized the most vulnerable people to HIV to end the AIDS epidemic, and we're committed to this during the COVID-19 crisis too," John said in a video announcing the fund.
"Distributing medicine, testing, and preventive treatment is not as simple as it was a few weeks ago. Our new COVID-19 emergency fund will help frontline partners to prepare for and respond to the pandemic, and its effects on HIV prevention and care for the most marginalized communities," he continued.
He said his foundation must keep its "momentum or else the results could be disastrous for people living with HIV and other infectious diseases."
The iconic singer also hosted the "iHeart Living Room Concert for America" special on March 29, which raised over $10 million for COVID-19 relief efforts.
Oprah Winfrey
The media mogul announced her $10 million donation to coronavirus relief in an Instagram post on Thursday.
The donation will be distributed to different relief initiatives across the country. One of them is America's Food Fund, which was launched by Leonardo DiCaprio, Laurene Powell Jobs, Apple and the Ford Foundation Thursday.
During a conversation with Chef José Andrés and Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, for her AppleTV+ series "Oprah Talks COVID-19," Winfrey committed $1 million to America’s Food Fund.
"While everyone’s priority right now is to stay safer at home, I know there are many of us looking for ways to help," Winfrey wrote in the caption of her post. "I believe that America’s Food Fund will be a powerful way to make a difference for our neighbors in need."
Ralph Lauren
The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation announced a $10 million donation to coronavirus relief efforts last week.
The funds will be divided among the label's Emergency Assistance Foundation to help its employees, the World Health Organization COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, the Pink Pony Fund to help cancer patients during the pandemic and the Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund's COVID-19 relief efforts.
"As we face this challenge as a global community, our hope is to continue to be the beacon of optimism and unity that Ralph Lauren and our brands have always been to the world," the brand said in a statement.
With unemployment skyrocketing, an unprecedented number of Americans need help feeding their families. Today is ABC's Day of Hope, in partnership with Feeding America, to share food resources with Americans who need it. Learn more here and get involved at FeedingAmerica.org/FeedTheLove.
Angelina Jolie
The actress and special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees donated $1 million to No Kid Hungry to help children left without meals due to school closures.
"As of this week, over a billion children are out of school worldwide because of closures linked to coronavirus," she said in a statement. "Many children depend on the care and nutrition they receive during school hours, including nearly 22 million children in America who rely on food support. No Kid Hungry is making resolute efforts to reach as many of those children as possible."
The organization distributes grant funding for food banks, school districts and more initiatives geared toward helping children amid the pandemic.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
The actor and former governor of California donated $1 million to the Frontline Responders Fund, a fundraising effort to provide essential supplies, like masks and gloves, to medical personnel and first responders fighting the pandemic.
"I never believed in sitting on the couch and complaining about how bad things are, I always believed we should all do our part to make things better," he wrote in an Instagram post, featuring a screenshot of the fundraising page.
"This is a simple way to protect our real action heroes on the frontlines in our hospitals, and I’m proud to be part of it," he added.
The actor also recently shared a video message in which he praised those working in hospitals and other industries to help those affected by the virus.
Rihanna
The singer's Clara Lionel Foundation announced Saturday that it is donating $5 million in grants to several organizations to assist in coronavirus relief efforts.
Some of the organizations include Partners in Health, Direct Relief, Feeding America, the International Rescue Committee and the World Health Organization.
The funds will "prepare communities [with] critical protective gear, medical supplies, equipment and access to food across multiple countries and regions," according to the foundation's statement.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos
The couple donated $1 million, split between the New York governor’s office to assist in purchasing more ventilators and WIN, an organization that runs shelters and supportive housing units in New York City.
"We're so grateful @kellyripa & @instasuelos for your incredible generosity during this crisis," WIN wrote in a tweet. "This has a HUGE impact on the women & kids who make up 70% of NYC's #homeless. On behalf of the thousands of moms & children we serve thank you!"
Kanye West
The musician donated an undisclosed amount to the Chicago-based organization We Women Empowered, which is currently delivering meals to the elderly during the coronavirus pandemic.
The organization's founder, Josephine “Mother” Wade, expressed her gratitude for West's kindness in a statement.
"Today when I got that call, that Kanye West wanted to help the elderly in Chicago and he chose his hometown in the South Side, his old neighborhood, I was beyond words," her statement read. "And in one phone call, in an instance today, our world was changed. He may not even realize it, but I knew his mother & I used to help them many years ago. All I can say is Thank you, Thank you, Thank you."
The rapper also made a donation to the Los Angeles-based nonprofit The Dream Center, which is also providing meals to those in need.
Jessica Alba
The actress and business owner announced that her Honest Company is donating 3 million diapers, 20,000 personal care products and 30,000 wipes to Baby2Baby, an organization that provides supplies to babies without diapers, formula and more essentials.
Jon Bon Jovi
The legendary singer shared a photo of himself washing dishes at JBJ Soul Kitchen, his New Jersey nonprofit community restaurant that mainly services paying and in-need customers.
The eatery's menu does not have prices. If one cannot pay, they can still eat and choose to volunteer instead. It's currently open for take-out due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"If you or your family are struggling for food, we are a resource for you," a notice on the restaurant's website reads.
"If you can't do what you do . . . do what you can," the singer captioned his post.
Eric Stonestreet
The "Modern Family" actor announced Wednesday that he is donating 200,000 meals to Harvesters Community Food Network in Kansas City. The regional food bank is part of Feeding America.
"Lindsay and I love our hometown and want to help do what we can," he wrote in a tweet, mentioning his partner, Lindsay Schweitzer.
"Right now Harvesters is considered an essential service and they are working to get as much food to people as they can through mobile distributions (which means they put food directly into cars)," he wrote in a follow-up message. "They are buying all the food they can right now to meet that need."
He also added that he is only sharing his donation publicly to encourage his followers to help out and contribute in whatever ways they can for the "vulnerable families in our community."
Ciara and Russell Wilson
The couple announced on Tuesday they are donating 1 million meals to Food Lifeline in Seattle through Feeding America.
"Obviously this worldwide pandemic, coronavirus, is changing the world. Second by second, minute by minute," Wilson said. "People are losing loved ones. The elderly, the young and the people in between. You know, think about people losing jobs, even in Seattle."
"We want to encourage everyone out there to join us in whatever way that you can, big or small," Ciara added. "Everything makes a difference, everything that we do together makes a difference and together we will conquer this tough time that we're going through."
J.J. Watt and Kealia Ohai Watt
The Houston Texans defensive end and his wife, professional soccer player Kealia Ohai, made a joint donation of $350,000 to the Houston Food Bank. The charitable organization services 18 counties in the Southeast Texas area and is part of Feeding America.
In a statement to "Good Morning America," Brian Greene, the president and CEO of Houston Food Bank, called the couple "great friends to this food bank since Hurricane Harvey."
"We are so appreciative of their generosity that makes our work possible," Greene continued.
"The Feeding America food banks provide essential services and we will continue to do so throughout the COVID-19 situation," Greene said. "Almost by definition the people we serve don't have reserves to fall back on. We are committed to not let our neighbors down when they need us most."
Patton Oswalt
The comedian shared a video Monday of his doing stand-up in his front yard. "All right, folks. Thanks for staying in tonight. I hope you guys are isolating and securing in place," Oswalt says in the video. "This COVID-19, I tell ya. I didn't see COVID 1 through 18, so I don't really know what this is all about."
He explained in the caption of his post that he was sharing the video because "entertainers must offer hope & humor to their neighbors in this time of quarantine."
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively
The "Deadpool" star, who is Canadian, announced a $1 million donation on behalf of himself and his wife, actress Blake Lively, to the organization Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.
"Covid-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low income families.... If you can give, these orgs need our help," he wrote in his post, adding links to direct his fans to the charitable organizations.
He also added a plea to his fan base: "Take care of your bodies and hearts. Leave room for joy. Call someone who’s isolated and might need connection."
In the actor's typical fashion, he also jokingly included his good friend Hugh Jackman's phone number.
Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams
The actresses partnered to launch Save With Stories, an initiative with Save the Children and No Kid Hungry in which they read stories on social media to fundraise for children left without meals during the COVID-19 crisis.
In the launch video, Garner explains that at least 30 million children "rely on school for food."
"These funds will help us make sure that families know how to find meals when schools are closed, support mobile meal trucks, food banks and other community feeding programs, provide educational toys, books and worksheets, and support out-of-school-time programs to help kids make up for lost time in the classroom," she wrote in the caption of her video.
The actress read "The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark," by Ken Geist, illustrated by Julia Gorton, for her fundraising effort.
Adams, who joined Instagram to promote the charitable initiative, read her first story, "The Dinosaur Princess," written by her daughter, Aviana Olea Le Gallo, and illustrated by her husband, Darren Le Gallo, in her first post on the social platform.
"I’ve decided to finally join to shine a spotlight on kids across the country who need our help and support during this difficult time," she wrote.
Justin Timberlake
The singer announced Sunday that he would be donating to Mid-South Food Bank, a charitable organization in Memphis, Tennessee, that is part of Feeding America.
"This is a crazy time, but remember we're all in it together," he wrote. "Start small and support your local communities by getting food out to those in need."
Dierks Bentley
The country star announced he was closing his Nashville-based bar Whiskey Row and pledged to help out his 90 hourly employees by giving them $1,000 each.
"My heart goes out to all the guys/ girls down on lower Broad. Feels like yesterday that it was me working down there for tips," he said.
He also urged other owners to help out their employees during this time. "Let's make sure we help the folks that help make the music happen," he said.
Josh Gad
The "Frozen" star is reading every night on Twitter to supply some entertainment for his fans and children with access to social media.
"Since we’re all stuck at home right now I figured we would have a little fun together," he said in a video. "So I’m going to see how this goes, but I decided I’m gonna read to you and your children -- or just you, depending on what you prefer. I’m not gonna pass judgment right now since the world is a little bit of a hot mess."
"I’ll try to provide at least 10 minutes of day care to you and your families a night while we’re going through this unprecedented global event," he added. "I love you all. I’m hoping you’re all healthy and safe, wherever you are, and hopefully I will see you all very soon. Take care."
What to know about Coronavirus:
- How it started and how to protect yourself: Coronavirus explained
- What to do if you have symptoms: Coronavirus symptoms
- Tracking the spread in the US and Worldwide: Coronavirus map
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