Taylor Swift has donated a large sum of money to help people suffering the devastating effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
On October 9, the nonprofit relief organization Feeding America shared a statement on Instagram to thank star Taylor Swift for her generous donation.
“We are incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift for her generous $5 million donation to the relief efforts for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This donation will help communities rebuild and recover, providing essential food, clean water, and essential supplies to those affected by these two devastating storms. Together, we can make a real impact in supporting families and helping them overcome the challenges ahead. Thank you Taylor Swift for joining us in ending hunger and helping communities in need,” wrote Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America.
They also encouraged viewers to “join Taylor Swift if you can” and donate.
Hurricane Milton is making landfall in Florida, bringing “life-threatening” hazards to the US west coast along central and southern Florida, centered in the Tampa Bay area, according to the National Hurricane Center (US). More than 600,000 homes and businesses in the state are without power.
Hurricane Milton is considered the costliest disaster in Florida history. That record was broken just two years ago by Hurricane Ian. Veteran meteorologist John Morales said Milton surpassed Ian in terms of peak intensity.
On October 5, AP News reported that the death toll from Hurricane Helene had risen to 227, and it is unclear how many people are missing.
This isn’t the first time Taylor Swift has stepped up to donate in a time of crisis. Last December, the Down Bad singer donated $1 million to the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund after the state was hit by deadly tornadoes. At the time, devastating tornadoes ripped through several counties in the area, killing six people, including two children.
In June 2024, Taylor Swift donated food at stops on her Eras Tour in the UK, providing “three meals a day for 1,200 people over three days – the equivalent of 10,800 meals,” according to Rachel Biggs, CEO of Cardiff Foodbank.