Metallica gives $350,000 to ‘those hit hard’ by virus
The Bay Area heavy metal band offers grants to four groups via its charity All Within My Hands
Mighty Metallica again is giving back to the community.
“In the wake of the spread of the coronavirus, the most vulnerable people in our communities need help now more than ever,” the renowned Bay Area metal band said in a statement.
So the band’s charity, All Within My Hands, will issue four grants totaling $350,000 to organizations aiding “those hit hard by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic,” the band said.
Here are the the four grant recipients:
• Feeding America: The band is donating $100,000 to what’s described as the country’s largest hunger relief nonprofit organization, which aids food banks and other organizations.
“As the need continues to grow, our local food banks are suffering from a lack of volunteers, donations and food distribution assistance from their normal channels,” the band said. “AWMH has pledged $100,000 to this fund,” according to a news release.
More information is at feedingamerica.org/take-action/coronavirus.
• Direct Relief: The organization has “responded to 22 countries, providing more than 40 tons of personal protective equipment for health care workers on the front lines,” according to the news release.
Direct Relief, which will get $100,000, works with such international and national agencies as the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the federal Centers for Disease Control and many more.
More information is at directrelief.org/emergency/coronavirus-outbreak/.
• Crew Nation: This one hits particularly close to home for the band.
“As you all know, Metallica’s live shows — all live music in general — would not be possible without the countless crew members working behind the scenes,” according to a news release. “As COVID-19 puts the entire live music industry on pause, we want to extend a helping hand to the touring and venue crews who make their living show to show.
“Our partners at Live Nation have committed $10 million to their Crew Nation initiative, contributing an initial $5 million to the fund, then matching the next $5 million donated by artists, fans and employees.
“We’re happy to pledge $100,000 to this fund to help those who make it all happen for us year in and year out on the road.”
Learn more at livenationentertainment.com/crewnation/. • The USBG National Charity Foundation: “In addition to the hardworking crews who support us on tour, we rely heavily on the worldwide hospitality industry,” the news release reads. “As restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, bars, and other food and beverage providers have been forced to close or shift to delivery/pickup operations, hundreds of thousands of workers are suddenly without jobs.
“We’re pledging $50,000 to the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP) to assist qualified bartenders, bar backs and bar servers in need of financial assistance.”