With her hometown under siege because of Hurricane Harvey, Beyoncé issued a statement Tuesday saying that she was taking part in relief efforts with the help of her BeyGood organization and her local pastor, Rudy Rasmus.
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Rasmus now has confirmed that the singer, who has a history of charitable efforts in Houston, including building low-income housing, has already made a significant donation.
“She’s starting out with a significant donation, and that donation is getting us to launch out into some areas that help us more effectively impact the communities that have been the most affected,” Rasmus said in an interview with ET. “She has, over the years, been very generous to our cause, and we continue to work together. She has been a huge benefactor to our efforts here in Houston, Texas.”
Rasmus went on to note that Tina Knowles Lawson, Beyoncé’s mom, has always been charitable when cities are in need.
“When Hurricane Katrina hit, they were present for us,” Rasmus said of the Knowles family. “When Ike devastated Houston, they were present for us, and times in between, so now won’t be any different. I’m counting on them right now.
“Right now, we are setting up a donations and collections center where we can collect some really needed items for people who have been forced out of their homes, acting sort of as a center for all of the materials and goods folks are going to need to rebuild,” he said.
Rasmus is urging the community to donate nonperishable items and even help in the rebuilding effort. Rasmus said that the doors of Bread of Life Inc. are open to those who want to volunteer.
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