By Vanessa Pappas, General Manager, TikTok US
Earlier today we launched TikTok Donation Stickers, which let users make a positive impact through the TikTok app through a direct opportunity to join us in supporting communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Since forming our Community Relief Fund, we've made several donations to local US organizations that serve groups representative of TikTok's diverse user communities, including families, musicians, artists, doctors and nurses, restaurant workers, and educators.
Today, we’re proud to announce a $4 million donation from our Community Relief Fund to two organizations – No Kid Hungry and Meals on Wheels – to provide food to kids and families in need. With many parents on the TikTok team and countless grandparents, parents, and families in our community affected by the crisis, the relief efforts of these two groups really hit close to home. It's been inspiring to see families come together and have fun on TikTok during this distressing time and as with our donation to After-School All-Stars to fund meals for families who had depended upon school lunches, it's important that we continue to play our part in supporting them with concrete, financial assistance.
No Kid Hungry is a national campaign working to end childhood hunger in America. TikTok’s donation will support No Kid Hungry’s critical work to ensure kids nationwide get the meals they need during school closures caused by coronavirus and beyond.
“We’re so grateful to our friends at TikTok for joining forces with us to help feed America’s kids. With people staying home and connecting more virtually, this partnership will be instrumental in helping us reach new audiences and give TikTok users a meaningful way to give back to their communities.” - Debbie Shore, co-founder at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign
Meals on Wheels fights senior hunger and isolation by supporting 5,000+ community programs. TikTok's contribution to its COVID-19 Response Fund will help to provide resources for local programs needed to keep seniors safe and well-nourished.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to build much-needed support for Meals on Wheels amid this evolving national crisis. TikTok is stepping up to ensure the America’s homebound seniors will continue to receive this vital lifeline – and inspiring their community to do the same." - Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America
To further support affected communities that benefit from programs and resources provided by organizations like No Kid Hungry and Meals on Wheels, we're bringing together friends of TikTok for a week of community-uniting TikTok LIVE streams that provide entertainment while raising awareness and funds. Titled "Happy At Home: #OneCommunity," these nightly LIVE streams will feature popular celebrities and creators and take place from May 5 to May 9. Stay tuned for upcoming details on the talent lineup and LIVE programming slate!
We remain committed to offering our very best to help affected communities during this time and will also be matching up to $10 million globally in user donations to these organizations and others from around the world, from now until May 27. We're excited to see you next week for our #OneCommunity LIVE streams; in the meantime, thank you for continuing to stay safe and happy at home.