Global superstar Taylor Swift is hoping to make a different impact. The singer-songwriter who began her career in Hendersonville, Tennessee has donated $5 million in hurricane relief efforts to victims of Helene and Milton.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift for her generous $5 million donation to Hurricanes Helene and Milton relief efforts,” the non-profit organization Feeding America’s CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot wrote in an Instagram post Wednesday. “This contribution will help communities rebuild and recover, providing essential food, clean water, and supplies to people affected by these devastating storms.
“Together, we can make a real impact in supporting families as they navigate the challenges ahead,” she said. “Thank you, Taylor, for standing with us in the movement to end hunger and for helping communities in need.”
At least 228 people died from Hurricane Helene, according to USA TODAY analysis, and massive areas of Florida, Georgia, Tennesee, South Carolina and North Carolina were left with widespread power outages and horrific destruction with some entire towns wiped away. Search and rescue efforts are still going on.
Hurricane Milton is making landfall on the west coast of Florida Wednesday night and is forecast to be one of the worst storms to ever hit Florida, with millions of people in evacuation zones. It is listed as a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator
Feeding America is a U.S.-based organization dedicated to helping hungry people. They work with local food banks, food pantries, and food programs. There are many groups working tirelessly to help Helene victims, here are just a few.
Has Taylor Swift donated to hurricane or tornado-damaged areas before?
During her tour stops, Swift has been known to donate hundreds of thousands to local food banks. But has she ever donated to storm relief? According to Billboard Magazine, here is when she has:
- Aug. 2016: She donated $1 million to Louisiana flood relief after torrential rains caused massive flooding in the state, killing at least 11 people and damaging at least 40,000 homes.
- Sept. 2017: Swift donated to the Houston Food Bank following Hurricane Harvey.
- March 2020: Made a $1 million donation to help those impacted by the tornadoes that destroyed homes and killed at least 24 people in Tennessee. “Nashville is my home and the fact that so many people have lost their homes and so much more in Middle Tennessee is devastating to me,” she wrote in an Instagram Story. “I’ve made a donation to the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund.”
- Dec. 2023: Made a $1 million donation to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee after tornadoes left at least six people dead and dozens hurt with hundreds of buildings damaged.
