MusiCares is launching “Help for the Holidays” on Tuesday (Dec. 1), which has been dubbed Giving Tuesday. As part of its ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts, MusiCares is offering $250 “essential goods” e-cards to the first 4,000 eligible applicants.
“Layoffs have left bands, crews and music support people jobless and struggling to attain the basic provisions — from food on the table to gasoline in the car,” Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares, said in a statement. “Despite the support we’ve been able to provide to date, the situation has yet to improve for the music industry.”
Any professionals with at least three years of past employment history in music, and demonstrated need, can apply for an essential goods e-card. All professions are eligible, including artists, musicians, production crews, technicians, business teams and anyone impacted by the loss of income due to live music event cancellations.
Since establishing the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund in March, MusiCares has distributed more than $20 million in aid to more than 20,000 people and their families. The effort started with initial seed donations of $1 million each by MusiCares and the Recording Academy.
MusiCares has also updated its list of COVID-19 relief online resources, which now includes a food insecurity hotline with WhyHunger, a leading organization working to end hunger.
Members of the music industry in need of assistance, or who wish to support MusiCares’ efforts to aid music professionals in need, should visit MusiCares.org.
