Just days before their biggest concert yet, Mat and Savanna Shaw are running a massive food drive in Utah.
The viral father-daughter singing duo from Kaysville took on the project with 24 hours notice, according to information sent to the Deseret News.
“We recently learned that Utah Food Bank, and food banks across the nation, are struggling to keep up with the demand COVID-19 has created,” the Shaws recently wrote on Facebook. “So many incredible families are facing unprecedented hardships as a result of the global pandemic. Feeding America projects that because of COVID-19, 18 million children in the United States could face hunger this year. That’s 1 in 4 children. This is a crisis.”
In response, the Shaws have set up a food drive on Tuesday, Nov. 24 in two Utah locations:
- Sandy Movies 9 (9533 S. 700 East)
- Main Street Music in Kaysville
The drive is accepting canned goods and nonperishable items, and will run from noon-2 p.m. MT. People unable to attend can consider making a donation to Utah Food Bank via Venmo — @UtahFoodBank-Donations, the Shaws added.
The singers — who went viral for their rendition of “The Prayer” nine months ago and have since developed a worldwide following — also encouraged fans outside of Utah to donate to their local food banks.
“Our heart goes out to these families who are simply trying to put food on the table, especially during the holidays,” the Shaws wrote on Facebook. “As we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas we are humbled by the incredible blessing we’ve been given since posting our little video on YouTube 9 months ago. We feel a deep desire to give back this holiday season.”
Although it was a fairly last minute project, the response so far has been “miraculous and inspiring,” a spokesperson for the Shaws told the Deseret News.
The Shaws said they are doing this for the same reason they’ve continued to share music during the pandemic: to spread hope and joy. They will perform a livestream concert hosted by Broadway star Sierra Boggess on Nov. 28, and an in-person show with Gentri at West Valley City’s Maverik Center on Dec. 5.
“This is our mission to spread joy,” they wrote. “We love you all and hope to see you on Tuesday!”