Beyonce is pledging to do her part to help her hometown of Houston in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
In a statement to the Houston Chronicle, Beyonce said she was devising a plan for relief.
“My heart goes out to my hometown, Houston, and I remain in constant prayer for those affected and for the rescuers who have been so brave and determined to do so much to help. I am working closely with my team at BeyGOOD as well as my pastor (Rudy Rasmus at St. John’s in downtown Houston) to implement a plan to help as many as we can.”
Beyonce’s pastor, Rev. Rudy Rasmus from St. John’s United Methodist Church, said the Houston native has “really stepped up” in her efforts to help her hometown.
Rumors are circulating that she has donated as much as $7 million, though Rasmus won’t confirm that.
Speaking exclusively to ET, Beyonce’s lifelong pastor, who’s close friends with Beyonce’s mom and has known the singer since childhood, says Beyonce has always used her platform to help those in need.
He said: “She’s starting out with a significant donation, and that donation is getting us to launch out into some areas that help us more effectively impact the communities that have been the most affected. She has, over the years, been very generous to our cause, and we continue to work together. She has been a huge benefactor to our efforts here in Houston, Texas.
“She has one huge platform, and information can go out to places that really need to know what’s going on in her hometown. She has always availed not only her platform, her voice, but also resources — tangible resources — to help those most in need in Houston and around.”
He continued to praise Beyonce and her family for their charitable works, saying: “When Hurricane Katrina hit, they were present for us. When Ike devastated Houston, they were present for us, and times in between, so now won’t be any different. I’m counting on them right now.” Linda Ikeji.