Megan Thee Stallion, the renowned rapper and Houston native, is stepping up to aid her community in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Beryl. On 18 July, the 29-year-old artist announced that her Pete and Thomas Foundation is teaming up with Bread of Life Inc. to launch the Emergency Power Program. This initiative aims to provide emergency generators to senior citizens across Houston, ensuring they have access to electricity during natural disasters.
A Devastating Storm
Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc earlier this month, ravaging the Caribbean and Gulf Coast of the United States. The storm claimed at least 52 lives and caused over $6 billion in damages. In Houston alone, 2.7 million residents were left without power, a situation exacerbated by the sweltering Texas summer heat. Tragically, this power outage contributed to six heat-related deaths in the area,
“It’s been painful to watch the elderly population in Houston suffer without electricity during these devastating storms,” Megan shared in a press release. “That’s why we wanted to partner with Bread of Life to take a strategic approach to this problem and secure generators to help protect our senior citizens. We need to do our part to provide our elders with the best resources possible to withstand future emergencies.”
Empowering The Vulnerable
Thousands of Houston residents are still without power more than a week after the storm. Bread of Life founder Rudy Rasmus emphasized the critical need for this initiative: “We want to expand our support of the most vulnerable people in the city, and Hurricane Beryl, the derecho, and other storms have highlighted that our seniors are in dire need of assistance.”
Through their collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, Bread of Life hopes to deliver generators to senior personal care homes this hurricane season. Their goal is to preemptively equip seniors with the necessary power sources to ensure there is no interruption in service during future storms.
Continuing A Legacy
Megan Thee Stallion founded the Pete and Thomas Foundation in 2022 in honor of her parents, aiming to uplift and assist women, children, senior citizens, and other underserved communities. In just two years, the foundation has made significant strides, helping more than 14,000 people through various initiatives.
Past efforts have included providing care packages to single mothers who were victims of domestic violence and establishing the Emergency Hardship Assistance Fund to aid those facing financial difficulties. Additionally, the foundation supports educational endeavors through a scholarship grant program and fosters community involvement with an initiative called Hotties Helping, which connects Megan’s fans with volunteer opportunities across the country.
Megan’s latest endeavor with the Emergency Power Program showcases her commitment to her hometown and her proactive approach to ensuring the well-being of Houston’s senior citizens. As the city continues to rebuild from Hurricane Beryl, the rapper’s efforts are a beacon of hope and resilience for her community.
References:
Pete and Thomas Foundation
Bread of Life Inc.
FEMA: Hurricane Preparedness
Us Magazine: Megan Thee Stallion’s Foundation Announces Emergency Power Program for Senior Citizens
Houston Public Media: Megan Thee Stallion program provides generators to senior citizens after Hurricane Beryl