Amazon’s Bezos makes multi-million gift to food organization

Amazon gave an update on its latest efforts to support its hometown community and the world at large during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has made a $100 million gift to Feeding America, which is the largest U.S. nonprofit focused on food security. Feeding America will distribute the funds to its national network of food banks and food pantries.

On the home front, the online giant will match all donations to Mary’s Place – a nonprofit that supports women, children, and families fighting homelessness in the Seattle area – up to $1 million, and will match gifts of $500 or more 2-to-1 from now through May 6. 

“Like Mary’s Place, many nonprofits have had their spring fundraising efforts disrupted or delayed,” Amazon stated. “We will support dozens of our partners around the world with hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations this spring so they can continue doing their crucial work.”

Amazon Music is contributing to the Academy of Country Music’s Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund, supporting musicians and music industry professionals suffering financially due to the pandemic. With canceled shows and venues shutting down, many in the industry are facing uncertain futures, the retailer noted.

In Europe, Amazon has committed almost $23 million to support those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including Red Cross organizations in the U.K., Germany, France, and Spain, as well as the Civil Protection Department in Italy. The donations are in addition to existing work Amazon and its employees have been doing across Europe.