Meghan Markle makes powerful surprise speech to thank those volunteering during COVID
Alyssa Bailey
After a quiet couple weeks, Meghan Markle returned to the spotlight last night to make a surprise appearance on CNN’s Heroes special. The Duchess, wearing a tan blouse and berry lip, made a heartfelt speech thanking those assisting with food delivery during the coronavirus pandemic.
The speech came hours before Meghan announced her first investment in a startup called Clevr Blends this morning. The brand makes instant oat milk lattes and is female-led and based in Santa Barbara. Oprah hinted at the announcement when she shared the Christmas gift her neighbor “M??” gave her from the company. Both Meghan and Oprah live in Montecito now.
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Meghan’s speech this week was addressed to volunteers. She said: “In a year that has been universally challenging for everyone, I’m inspired by the stories of compassion in our communities. Across the country, people have put their own needs aside to come together and support the collective wellbeing of those around them. Back in March, the COVID-19 crisis hit hard, and overnight, everything seemed to change. For many families, the impact of the pandemic has been catastrophic, and far too many were faced with a heartbreaking question: How am I going to put food on the table for my family?”
She added: “But in the face of this devastating reality, we also saw the power of the human spirit, and the remarkable ways communities respond in challenging times. We saw the good in people: in our neighbors and in entire communities coming together to say they would not stand by while our neighbors went hungry. We saw communities standing up and taking action. When kids’ lunch programs came to a halt, we saw our neighbors make sure that those kids received the nutrition they need. And when those who are immunocompromised or most vulnerable couldn’t leave their homes, we as a community showed up to deliver the food they needed to their doorsteps. We know the value of food: as nourishment, as a life source, and in moments of crisis, the warmth of a meal can feel as comforting as a much-needed hug, especially in the absence of human contact due to the social distancing we’re all experiencing. These moments reminded so many that they’re cared for.”
“Tonight we are celebrating these quiet heroes, some of whom I know and others that we applaud from afar. These individuals stood up and made sure the most basic needs of our communities were met. They made sure that those around them did not have to suffer in isolation. They nourished their neighbors in more ways than one. And they showed us, all of us, that even in the darkest times, when we come together, we have the power to remind someone else that there is hope and that we will be okay.
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