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The Arthur M. Blank Foundation announced Wednesday morning that the Atlanta Falcons owner will donate “an initial grant” of $1.5 million to Hurricane Melissa relief efforts.
The foundation said the money will be donated to support the work of World Central Kitchen, Team Rubicon and CARE USA.
“World Central Kitchen provides nutritious meals and fresh water in times of crisis, and Team Rubicon specializes in disaster preparedness and recovery on the ground,” the foundation said in a statement. “The fund’s upfront investment to CARE USA’s Humanitarian Surge Fund helps provide rapid deployment of disaster relief resources and will be activated immediately.”
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Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank reacts during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“Jamaica and the Caribbean hold a special place in my heart, filled with meaningful family memories,” Blank himself said in a statement.
“The impact of Hurricane Melissa is profound, but so is the resilience of people in this region. We are humbled to support Team Rubicon and World Central Kitchen with an initial grant to help meet immediate needs in the community with disaster relief and nutritious meals. While the road ahead will be long, our hearts are with those affected, and we hope our support along the way brings comfort and strength.”
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank looks on prior to the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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The storm hit Jamaica earlier this week as a Category 5 hurricane, making it the strongest storm ever to hit the island directly.
With 185 mph winds and 220 mph gusts, it is the strongest storm this year and the third Category 5 hurricane. This is also the second time in a calendar year that at least three Category 5 hurricanes have been recorded.
The last time Jamaica faced a hurricane of this magnitude was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, a Category 4 storm remembered as the deadliest and most destructive in the nation’s history.
Storm surge is pictured prior to the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean Terrace area of Kingston, Jamaica on October 25, 2025. (RICARDO MAKYN/AFP)
The storm left hundreds homeless and forced thousands into overcrowded emergency shelters, according to a report by the National Library of Jamaica. Despite its ferocity, the official death toll remained relatively low with 45 killed and few injuries reported, but the storm caused an estimated $800 million in damage across the island, the publication said.
