Disney Cast Members Helping Cast Members
Founded by Walt Disney World Cast Member, Emily Lartigue, the Cast Member Pantry provides furloughed (read: unpaid) Cast Members some relief from food insecurity. Cast Members in Southern California can now sign up for monthly food distribution, though the approach is somewhat modified from the Orlando model. Extended Disney family donors like Josh Gad contribute funds to keep the charitable bounty going. As a member of the Disney family who is still experiencing significantly reduced hours, I’m trying to spread the word as much as I can.
The holiday season features advertisements, magazine covers, and online videos of glorious food offerings. Everywhere you look, you’re bombarded with recipes from quick and easy to complex and laborious. The pumpkin-spice scented air compliments baking bread and roasting vegetables. You breathe it all in and remember that you’re a furloughed Disney Cast Member. As the furlough stretches into its eighth month, or if you just received notice that you’re going back on furlough after a short stint of full pay, you’re probably trying to get by on your less-than-cost-of-living-unemployment payouts, and things are looking grim. When it comes to choosing between rent, utilities, or food, and two bags of grocery items can run $100, you need options. Those magazine covers and food videos seem way out of reach.
Cast Members’ Commitment to Service
Many of the Cast Members who have been furloughed live paycheck to paycheck due to the high cost of living in Southern California. Few were able to set aside the federal stimulus or extra wage-replacement payments as savings to apply now. Who knew the shutdown would last this long? Those extra funds stopped, but the bills didn’t. This charity has arrived at a critical time, as rising Covid-19 cases mean it might be harder for Cast Members to pick up stop-gap work this holiday season. Emily’s idea and the immediate support the Pantry received in donations and volunteers show how deeply “service” is embedded in Disney Cast Members. Even when we’re not on the clock, we’re here to help. I messaged the group to offer my volunteer services and was told that ALL of the Southern California volunteer roles are currently filled! Of all the rejections I’ve received lately, this one makes me the proudest.
If you are a cast member who needs food support, or you know someone who does, please check out the Cast Member Pantry information on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/castmemberpantry Could you make the holidays brighter for a Cast Member? Information about monetary donations and an Amazon wishlist (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/TRZG4EDLIXOF?ref_=wl_share) can also be found on their page. Fresh fruits and vegetables never looked so festive.
Because this is information about a charity, the links on this page are non-affiliate.