When they’re not delighting audiences with their talents onscreen, poking fun at each other online or running their various beverage, marketing and mobile empires, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are often finding ways to give back…
Sometimes it’s through ugly/not ugly – but definitely hilarious – Christmas sweater fundraisers (yeah, you know the one), sometimes it’s through donations to causes close to their heart. And this holiday season, as they expect their fourth bundle of joy together, they’re using their platforms to ensure babies in Vancouver receive the essentials they need.
The Hollywood couple has announced they’ll be matching donations up to $25,000 to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank to support the organisation’s Baby Steps Nutrition Program.
What is that exactly? It’s a monthly program which provides free nappies and food to struggling families. The boxes include formula, baby food, snacks and cereal for babies up to 12 months, and eggs, cereal, milk, cheese and fruits for babies 13 to 24 months.
“Ryan and Blake are expecting a child in the new year, and they want to support our Baby Steps program to ensure the babies in our communities receive the nutrition they need to thrive,” the Food Bank shares on their Instagram page.
“Last year, we projected to support 200 babies/month based on previous trends. However, in November 2022, we supported 442 babies – that’s a 121% increase!”
The Food Bank was set up in 1983 as a temporary hunger relief organisation but as demand continued, so did they. Today, they provide food to at least 14,000 individuals and families in need each month, relying on the generosity of donors due to no ongoing government funding.
This isn’t the first time Blake & Ryan have supported Food Bank programs. In 2020, they made a $1 million donation to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada to help provide food and essentials for elderly and vulnerable communities during the pandemic.
(Feature Image Credit: Lev Radin/Shutterstock)