Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Donate $1 Million to Hurricane Helene and Milton Relief Efforts

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynold are showing their support during a difficult time.

After Hurricane Milton slammed through Florida nearly two weeks after Hurricane Helene's destruction, the Gossip Girl alum and Deadpool star made a $1 million donation to Feeding America—a network of food banks, food pantries and local meal programs.

"Thank you to the amazing people on the ground providing essential needs for families who've lost so much in this brutal disaster," Blake and Ryan—parents to daughters James, 9, Inez, 7, and Betty, 4, and son Olin—told E! News in an Oct. 10 statement. "Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the double tragedy of these hurricanes. If you're able to get involved, check out the Feeding America website for more info." 

And CEO of the charity Claire Babineaux-Fontenot expressed gratitude for their contribution.

"Their longtime support of Feeding America in times of crisis has helped our network on the ground before, during and after disasters," she shared in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Oct. 10. "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."

Blake and Ryan—who have previously donated to causes to help children in Israel and Gaza last October, displaced families in Ukraine in 2022 and families during the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020—weren't the only celebs to open their wallets amid hurricane relief efforts, either. In fact, Taylor Swift made a $5 million donation to Feeding America ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall. 

"This contribution will help communities rebuild and recover," Claire wrote in an Oct. 9 statement on Instagram, "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," the statement continued. "Thank you, Taylor, for standing with us in the movement to end hunger and for helping communities in need."

Florida was devastated in the wake of Hurricane Milton, which is now making its way to the Atlantic Ocean. The storm brought an unusual number of tornadoes to the state, cut power to over 3 million residents and caused at least 11 deaths, per a count by NBC News. From a crane crashing into an apartment building to the roof of the Tropicana Field being shredded, the community is expected to feel the extent of the damage for a long time.

However, many officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis noted that the storm surge, which causes major flooding, wasn't as extensive as previously expected.

"The storm was significant, but thankfully, this was not the worst-case scenario," he told reporters during an Oct. 10 briefing. "The storm did weaken before landfall and the storm surge, as initially reported, has not been as significant overall as what was observed for Hurricane Helene."

Meanwhile, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor applauded the city's residents for following evacuation orders.

"I really think it's due to Hurricane Helene," she said during a press conference. "When people get to see firsthand the power of Mother Nature, it's very impactful, literally and figuratively. And so I think that people heeded that warning and got out and were able to stay safe."

(E! News and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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