Tens of thousands of Bulgarians made charitable contributions during an April 8 benefit concert, titled #HelpFromHome, in support of the Bulgarian Food Bank. A staggering 230,000 levs was raised in the 24 hours during and after the concert.

In recognition of the concert’s impressive success, the America for Bulgaria Foundation doubled its initial pledge to match up to 50,000 levs and donated 100,000 levs to the food bank, bringing up the total to over 330,000 levs. The funds will help the organization supply food to Bulgaria’s most vulnerable elderly individuals and children affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Bulgarian Food Bank has worked tirelessly to help thousands of Bulgarians in need since 2012. In eight years, it has donated more than 1,667 tons of food worth 4.7 million levs; over 50,000 people have received vital nutrition as a result. The funds raised during the concert will help the food bank reach even more people in need.

ABF has been the Bulgarian Food Bank’s main partner and supporter over the years, committing 905,000 levs in donations to the organization since 2012.

The #HelpFromHome concert was an initiative of Single Step founder Ivan Dimov and was organized in cooperation with bTV Media Group, Joker Media, and digital platforms Streamer.bg and URBО. Some of Bulgaria’s favorite artists made pro bono appearances during the concert, with several pledging donations of their own. The event was hosted by Medium Station founders Ivan Hristov and Andrei Arnaudov and TV presenter Maria Silvestar.

You can also help Bulgaria’s most vulnerable by supporting the Bulgarian Food Bank. From Bulgaria, text DMS HRANA to 17777 to donate 1 lev. Visit the Food Bank’s website for other ways to give: http://bgfoodbank.org/en/

Who are the people from the Bulgarian Food Bank who ensure food reaches Bulgaria’s neediest? Meet Ilian and Tzanka.