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This week, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced that around 28,000 Disney Cast Members in the U.S. would be laid off. With the thousands of Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort employees without work (and with Disneyland still being closed), many Disney fans are wondering how they can help.
Here are some of the ways you can help support Disney Cast Members during this time.
If you are a Disney Cast Member in need of aid, read our resource guide here.
Donate to Second Harvest Food Bank in California and Florida
Soon after the U.S. Disney Parks closed because of the pandemic, Disney made donations to local California and Florida food banks. The theme parks and resorts donated excess food that would have otherwise gone to waste, with Disney World and Disneyland being shut down. However, these food banks are still accepting donations, and the food banks are of course open to Disney Cast Members and anyone else who is being affected by these difficult times.
To donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County in California, click here.
To donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, click here.
Donate to a Cast Member Union Food Bank
If you want to help Disneyland Resort Cast Members locally, you can donate to a Cast Member food bank started by Workers United Local 50, a union representing CMs.
Workers United Local 50 has been hosting pop-up food banks and providing “first come, first serve” food pick-up opportunities during these months when Disneyland and Disney California Adventure remain temporarily closed. All CMs have to do is show their Disneyland Resort employee ID and they can pick up food for their household. For more information on how you can help, visit their Facebook page or call their office at 714-321-5456.
The union UNITE HERE! Local 737 started a food bank months ago, and it’s still going strong. You can find out more on their official Facebook page or visit the food bank at the Union Hall on LaQuinta Drive, about one mile away from the Florida Mall.
Donate to Cast Member Pantry
Disney World Cast Member Emily Lartigue started the Cast Member Food Pantry. Months ago, Lartigue started the food pantry for Cast Members who were furloughed due to the unexpected park closures. But today, the food pantry is still going strong — and it has even expanded to California! You can find more information via Facebook or email castmemberpantry@gmail.com.
Are you or a fellow cast member you know in need of groceries during this difficult time? Cast Member Pantry makes it…
Posted by Cast Member Pantry on Saturday, July 25, 2020
Support Cast Members’ Small Businesses
A couple of spreadsheets have been put together to help spread the word about Cast Members’ small businesses. You can check out these resources here (put together by @tiffmink) and these resources here (put together by @thethemeparkettes). We put together a gift guide full of Cast Member businesses, which you can read here.
You can also check out @smallshopcm on Instagram for more information.
Post on Social Media
If you are not financially able to support Disney Cast Members during this time, you can share your support via social media. Since the layoffs were announced, Disney fans around the world have taken to platforms like Instagram and Twitter to share their love for Disney Cast Members and show their support for them during this time and always. Not everyone may be able to donate time or money right now, but sharing your love for Disney Cast Members — the true Disney magic makers — is a great and free way to show you care.
Read More: #CastCompliment – How to Thank a Disney Cast Member
We will continue to update this article with more resources and ways to help Disney Cast Members as we learn more. If you know of other resources or ways to help Disneyland and Disney World employees during this time, please share them with us in the comments.