AOC, Beyoncé Among Public Figures Raising Money For Texas Relief

ACROSS TEXAS — A nation is coming together to rally behind Texans, who are still struggling days after winter weather knocked out power to most of the state and left millions without clean water.

Public figures, celebrities and out-of-state politicians are among those stepping forward, calling on supporters and fans to pitch in what they can to support recovery efforts in Texas.

Most notably, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic representative from New York and outspoken member of "The Squad," raised $2 million in less than 24 hours for Texas relief organizations that are working to help those in need.

Ocasio-Cortez has also called on Texans to demand the resignation of Sen. Ted Cruz, who came under intense scrutiny Thursday for flying to Cancun with his family this week while millions of Texans were still without power and clean water.

"If Sen. Cruz had resigned back in January after helping gin up a violent insurrection that killed several people, he could've taken his vacation in peace. Texans should continue to demand his resignation," she said in a tweet.

Do you want to help Texans in need? Here are a few places to start.

Here are some other ways that public figures are using their platforms to help Texans:

• Free-agent cornerback Pierre Desir donated 10,000 meals to the Houston Food Bank on Wednesday, despite not having any ties the city, ESPN reported. “It was just the right thing to do,” Desir’s agent, Hadley Engelhard, told the publication.
• Singer Beyoncé Knowles-Carter also is pitching in toward relief efforts. In an update posted to the singer’s website, Beyoncé announced she was teaming up with Adidas and Bread of Life to help her home state. Those in need of assistance can sign up via the organization’s Google form.
• Comedian Jen Kirkman and actress Reese Witherspoon directed her 2.9 million Twitter followers to donate to Houston Mutual Aid, a grassroots organization that’s providing direct relief to people impacted by the storms, according to Eater Houston.
• Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman and his wife, Reagan, are spearheading two days of water distribution this week in Houston while recovery continues from the winter storm.
• Country singer Kacey Musgraves is raising money for Dallas-based Feed the People. She's doing so by selling T-shirts targeted at Ted Cruz, Eater Dallas reported.