Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw Donate $1.5 Million to Support Workers Impacted by Hollywood Strikes – Film News in Brief

variety.com:

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Since the Hollywood strikes began back in May, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw have donated a collective $1.5 million to writers, actors and other industry workers who have been negatively impacted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

Capshaw and Spielbergs generous donations have gone to the Entertainment Community Fund as well as the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program.

The ECF, which was previously known as the Actors Fund, said in a statement, “Thanks to the transformative support from Kate Capshaw & Steven Spielberg, along with numerous other generous donors, the Fund is helping film and television workers in need with emergency financial assistance to cover basic living expenses (rent, groceries, health insurance, medical bills, etc.), mental health support and more.” The SAG-AFTRA Foundation reports that since the work stoppages began, they have been processing up to 100 applications for financial assistance every day, which go toward rent and mortgage payments, food and medical needs.

They added in a statement, “This significant donation from Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg to the Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program will not only help meet the current and overwhelming demand for financial assistance, but will continue to support the SAG-AFTRA community who will be faced with long term financial hardships and challenges for years to come.” Spielberg and Capshaw are just the latest of those making large donations to striking workers.