Swift makes an “unexpected” donation to help fight hunger in Britain

Taylor Swift has long been praised for having an impact on the local economy, but she's also helping locally in more direct ways. The Independent reports that the 34-year-old pop star made an “unexpected” donation to around 1,400 food banks run by the Trussell Trust, a British anti-poverty charity, as well as community groups in British cities where Swift stopped on her Eras Tour. “We didn't expect it, but of course we were very pleased when we found out,” says Trussell representative Sophie Carre of Swift's “generous donation” of an undisclosed amount.

Carre adds that Swift's commitment to fighting hunger and poverty, which Carre said has had a “national impact,” could help inspire others to take action, too. “It really makes a difference and hopefully it will encourage others to support us if they can and do their part,” she notes. Over the summer, AP wondered whether Swift had ushered in “a new era for food donations,” noting that the singer had donated “the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of meals” since March.

Cardiff Foodbank CEO Rachel Biggs praised Swift for her recent achievement in a statement. “We are incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift, not only for her generous donation, but also for shining a light on the global issue of poverty and the need to support local food banks,” the statement said People. “Kind gestures never go out of style,” Trussell wrote on social media Thursday. (More stories from Taylor Swift.)