NBA stars, STL natives Brad Beal, Jayson Tatum to donate up to $500,000 to St. Louis, Boston area food banks

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - NBA stars and St. Louis natives Jayson Tatum and Bradley Beal are teaming up to fight the coronavirus pandemic with huge donations being made to the St. Louis and Boston area.

The Chaminade College Prep graduates are partnering with Lineage Logistics on its Share A Meal program and will match public donations for up to $250,000 to the St. Louis Area Foodbank. With every $25 donated, the Foodbank will be able to provide 200 meals to children, families and seniors in the bi-state region.

Learn more about Tatum and Beal's cause in St. Louis, here.

Tatum made the announcement on his Instagram, explaining that through The Jayson Tatum Foundation, he will match $250,000 in donations to Feeding American and a Boston area food bank. Also, he and Beal will match up to $250,000 in donations to the St. Louis Area Foodbank:

As this virus continues to spread, the future has never felt so unpredictable.  And while I sincerely pray that everyone is staying safe, healthy and social distancing, the reality is this virus has negatively impacted our families, loved ones and communities in so many ways.  Because of the hardships created through this national health crisis and in an effort to help those in need in the Boston and St. Louis area, I am, through The Jayson Tatum Foundation, partnering with @feedingamerica and @lineagelogistics on their “Share A Meal” campaign.  Together, @lineagelogistics and The Jayson Tatum Foundation are pledging to match $250,000 in the Boston area and, with my good friend and fellow basketball player Bradley Beal, $250,000 in the St. Louis area, to help provide meals through @feedingamerica, @stlfoodbank and @gr8bosfoodbank.  This campaign will help some of the hardest hit communities in Boston and in Brad and my hometown of St. Louis, receive meals.  If you are able to help, I am asking my family, friends,  fans and partners to follow the link in my bio to help make a difference in our communities during a very difficult time. I would especially like to thank all the frontline workers and volunteers who are working around the clock to keep all of us safe and healthy. Together…. we will make a difference. #NBATogether #ActsOfCaring

A post shared by Jayson Tatum---- (@jaytatum0) on Apr 6, 2020 at 8:04am PDT

"The widespread effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been devastating to witness," Tatum stated in a press release. "Because of this, people are suffering in many more ways, which is why I felt it was important to find a way to help — especially in the communities I hold near and dear to my heart. That is why I am partnering with Lineage Logistics in a 'Share A Meal' Campaign to help those in need in Boston and partnering with Washington Wizards’ star Brad Beal for our hometown, St. Louis, during this national health and economic crisis. I would also like to ask for your help. If you are able, I’m asking each of my family members, friends, fans and supporters to participate by making a financial donation of any size.

"Together, we will make a difference in the lives of many in our neighborhoods and communities. Together, we will get through this one step, and one meal, at a time."

Tatum is in his third NBA season and earned All-Star recognition this season. Beal earned NBA All-Star honors in 2018 and 2019.