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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 nourishing meals and fresh water in times of crisis, and the Rubicon team specializes in disaster response and recovery on the ground,” the foundation said in a statement. “The Foundation’s pre-investment for CARE USA’s Humanitarian Surge Fund helps provide rapid deployment of resources for disaster relief 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, as is the resilience of the people of this region. We are honored to support Team Rubicon and World Central Kitchen with an initial grant to help meet the immediate needs of the community with disaster relief and nourishing meals. Although the road ahead will be long, our hearts are with those affected, and we hope that our support will provide comfort and strength along the way.
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank looks on before 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, classifying it as a Category 5 hurricane, making it the strongest storm ever to hit the island directly.
With winds of 185 mph and gusts of 220 mph, it is the strongest storm this year and the third Category 5 hurricane. It 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 similar magnitude was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, a Category 4 storm considered the deadliest and most destructive in the country’s history.
Storm surge is pictured ahead of the landfall of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean Terrace area of Kingston, Jamaica October 25, 2025. (RICARDO MAKYN/AFP)
The storm left hundreds of people homeless and forced thousands into overcrowded emergency shelters, according to a report from the National Library of Jamaica. Despite its ferocity, the official toll remained relatively low, with 45 deaths and a few injuries reported, but the storm caused an estimated $800 million in damage across the island, according to the publication.
