Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara join Beyond Meat to feed the vulnerable amid COVID-19

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara can often be found promoting veganism or rescuing farmed animals, but now the vegan power couple are lending their support to help Beyond Meat’s Feed A Million+ campaign.

The couple released a short clip on Beyond Meat’s Instagram stories to share the news that they had joined forces with Beyond Meat to lend a hand in donating meals to the needy.

In the video, which can be seen on The Hollywood Reporter, Phoenix said: “We’re so grateful to partner with Beyond Meat’s Feed a Million campaign to support individuals and communities experiencing food insecurity.”

Mara added: “For the next several weeks, the Feed a Million campaign will be donating hundreds of hot meals to some of our favorite organizations that provide emergency services to so many people.”

She also thanked “all the essential workers and volunteers around the country” who have been working hard amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The couple is helping to deliver free meals to vulnerable people through organizations of their choosing.

Phoenix and Mara have selected three Los Angeles-based organisations to be the beneficiary of Beyond Meat’s help:  Midnight Mission, Urban School Food Alliance and My Friend’s Place.

A number of celebrities have now joined the campaign including rap legend Snoop Dogg and actor and comedian Kevin Hart who sent Beyond Burgers to frontline staff working at Northridge Hospital Medical Center in California.

Feed a Million+

The plant-based food company has been running the campaign since April 6 and has pledged to donate 1 million vegan burgers to hospital workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic in the US.

In a statement announcing the pledge, the company said: “As we all come together to get through these challenging times, we at Beyond Meat feel a deep responsibility to give back by providing access to good, nourishing meals at no cost. Beginning Monday, April 6, Beyond Meat and our dedicated partners will work to donate and distribute more than 1 million Beyond Burgers as part of our Feed A Million+ pledge.

“Our goal has always been to use food as a vehicle for change and we’re fortunate to be in a position to put that into action now like never before. Our hope is that this donation will help make lives easier and contribute to the strong sense of community that is so vitally important during these unprecedented times.

“As part of our Feed A Million+ pledge, the Beyond Meat community is rallying together to give back via multiple channels. To reach those most affected and in need, we’ve donated Beyond Meat products to food banks across the country, and are working with partners to prepare and deliver donated Beyond Meat meals to hospitals, community centers and other frontline organizations.”