How Celebrities Are Giving Back During During The CoronaVirus Outbreak

There is no shortage of needs across the globe right now as the Coronavirus continues its spread throughout more than 160 countries. Here in America, states are struggling to get necessary medical supplies to prevent more deaths, while everyday citizens are worried about their physical and financial health amid rapid, widespread job loss.

In past times when the government has refused to step up to the plate and look out for the needs of the nation’s most vulnerable, we have turned to the 1% to exercise philanthropy and provide assistance where other agencies won’t. As we wait to see whether the Bill Gates, Elon Musks, and Warren Buffets of the world will step in to help us avoid the medical crisis many healthcare facilities say is inevitable, other celebrities are doing what they can to make sure families have food on their table and other needs are met. Here’s how celebrities are giving back during the outbreak.

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Indya Moore

“Pose” star Indya Moore immediately took to social media to use her platform to help those she deemed the “most vulnerable,” Black trans and queer people in need. The actress initially paid out $3000 to 51 individuals who messaged her via Cash App, and as donations started rolling in, she’s been able to send out thousands more. Indya promises to continue providing aid, while operating under Cash App’s $7,500/week pay limit.

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Ciara And Russell Wilson

Ciara and Russell Wilson have pledged to provide meals for one million hungry individuals. According to NewsOne, “They partnered with the nonprofit Food Lifeline for the initiative. The Washington-based organization equips more than 300 shelters, food banks and meal programs with food. It provides upwards of 134,000 meals daily. The nonprofit focuses on ending hunger in Washington state and increasing the accessibility to healthy food options.”

In a news release on the Seattle Seahaws site Ciara said, “Everything makes a difference. Everything we do together makes a difference, and together we will conquer this tough time we’re going through. We have faith, and we want to encourage everyone else out there to keep the faith.”

Steph and Ayesha Curry

The Currys have also taken up the cause of feeding hungry men and women throughout the United States. Through their Eat. Learn. Pray. foundation, Steph and Ayesha set a goal of raising $200,000 for the organization Feeding America which was quickly met when Under Armour donated $2 million to the cause.

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Rihanna

While much of the Caribbean and Africa have yet to be hit as hard by the virus as the Western world, Rihanna is taking steps to prevent those regions from falling to a fate similar to China, Italy, and the U.S. Through her Clara Lionel Foundation, the singer has donated $5 million toward rapid response relief efforts. A statement read:

“CLF is supporting on-the-ground partners working on the frontlines of disaster response especially those focused on protecting and serving marginalized communities – helping the most vulnerable in the United States, the Caribbean and in Africa prepare for what is to come,” a statement read. “Over the past five years CLF has been one of the first organizations to respond to some of the world’s most devastating natural disasters, and they have seen firsthand the profound and unintended consequences of not being prepared.”

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Zion Williamson

When the NBA cut its season due to the virus, it wasn’t just players who lost out and New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson realized that immediately. The forward who was drafted in 2019 not only acknowledged the employees who work at the Smoothie King Center where he plays for making the games happen in an Instagram post, he pledged to cover their lost wages for one month.

“My mother has always set an example for me about being respectful for others and being grateful for what we have, and so today I am pledging to cover the salaries for all of those Smoothie King Center workers for the next 30 days,” he wrote. This is a small way for me to express my support and appreciation for these wonderful people who have been so great to me and my teammates and hopefully we can all join together to relieve some of the stress and hardship caused by this national health crisis.”

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Blake Griffin

In a similar move, Detroit Pistons’ star Blake Griffin donated $100,000 to help compensate workers at Little Caesars Arena where his team plays their home games. In an Instragram post he explained his decision writing, “I normally don’t post about these types of things but in times like this, we all need to do our part and while we all wonder about when games are coming back, others are worried about where the next paycheck is coming from.”

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Kerby Jean-Raymond

Acknowledging the small business owners who are also facing financial turmoil and uncertain futures now, fashion designer Kerby Jean-Raymond, through his designer clothing line Pyer Moss, pledged $50,000 in funds to assist minority and women-owned small creative businesses currently in distress.

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Rudy Gobert

Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert has pledged a total of $500,000 in Coronavirus related relief. Of that total, $200,000 will go to part-time employees of his team’s Vivint Smart Home Arena. Another $200,000 will assist families in Utah and Oklahoma City who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, while the remaining 100,000 euros will provide assistance in his native country of France, NBA.com reported.