CELEBRITY
Serena and Venus Williams through The Serena Williams Fund Raised Over $850,000 on Halloween Night — with an Additional $100,000 Donation from Serena Williams husband Alexis Ohanian — to Provide Free SNAP Breakfasts for Families Struggling After Benefits End November 1
In a shining example of compassion and leadership, Serena and Venus Williams once again proved that their power extends far beyond the tennis court. On Halloween night, the sisters, through The Serena Williams Fund, raised an astonishing $850,000 to provide free SNAP-style breakfasts for American families struggling in the wake of the federal government shutdown and the suspension of SNAP benefits that took effect on November 1.
To make the evening even more remarkable, Serena’s husband, Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, donated an additional $100,000, pushing the total to nearly $1 million — all dedicated to helping parents and children who suddenly found themselves without access to critical food assistance.
A Night of Glamour with a Purpose
The event, themed “Feeding Hope: A Halloween Night to Remember,” was held at a private Los Angeles venue that blended spooky elegance with heartfelt activism. Guests included celebrities, athletes, and philanthropists who dressed up for fun but came together for a serious cause — to make sure no child goes hungry while Washington plays politics.
Speaking at the fundraiser, Serena Williams told the crowd:
“We’ve seen too many families, especially mothers, wondering how to feed their kids because of political gridlock. If government leaders can’t step up, then we — as a community — will.”
Her sister Venus echoed the sentiment, adding:
“This isn’t about charity. It’s about fairness. No child in America should ever go to bed hungry because of a shutdown they didn’t cause.”
Providing Free Breakfasts Across America
The funds raised will be used to provide free breakfast programs in ten major cities, including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York City, focusing on families who recently lost their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
The Serena Williams Fund has already partnered with local schools, community kitchens, and food banks to ensure that meals begin reaching families within the week.
A spokesperson for the foundation confirmed that every dollar raised would go directly toward food and logistical support — not administrative overhead.
❤️ Ohanian’s Surprise Contribution
Alexis Ohanian’s $100,000 personal donation came as a surprise announcement at the end of the night, greeted with applause and emotion from attendees. Ohanian said he wanted to “match Serena’s passion with tangible support.”
“This is about showing up for families who’ve been failed by a broken system,” he said. “If you can feed one child, you can change one future — and that’s where real hope begins.”
A Message Beyond the Court
While the Williams sisters are best known for their dominance in tennis, they’ve long used their platform for social impact — from education and equality to hunger relief.
This latest effort underscores their ongoing belief that success means little if it doesn’t lift others up.
As millions of Americans continue to face uncertainty amid the government’s shutdown and halted food assistance, the Williams sisters’ Halloween fundraiser is a reminder that leadership doesn’t always come from the halls of power — sometimes it comes from the heart.
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