As the final countdown to Taylor Swift arriving in Canada to take the stage for six nights in Toronto and three in Vancouver as part of her nearly two-year Eras Tour, Swifties around the nation are looking for ways to celebrate the singer and do some good in her honour.
While plans are afoot in both cities for concert-goers to express gratitude through several "fan project" initiatives during the shows (particularly the closing night of the entire tour, set to happen in Vancouver on Sunday, December 8) others are in search of more immediate ways to help out fellow Canadians.
The "Tay It Forward" project started as one fan's idea to unite fans and raise funds for Food Banks Canada.
Swift makes significant donations to food banks in every city where she performs. Since March 2023, when the Eras Tour began in Glendale, Arizona, Swift has donated the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of meals to help feed the growing number of Americans grappling with rising food and housing costs. She chooses to give without celebrity fanfare, and the gifts have been welcomed.
Swift’s support has been meaningful, food bank operators say, especially in drawing attention to their crucial service for low- and mid-income people. Some food bank operators in the U.S. remarked that they experienced a bump in donations overall after media coverage of Swift's generosity, though the star and her team don't comment about the donations.
Tay It Forward Canada inspired by Swift's giving
Inspired by Swift's generosity, fans in Canada have banded together for "Tay It Forward," which aims to raise $1.3 million for Food Banks Canada.
The Canada-wide project is about "thanking Taylor Swift for coming to Canada and celebrating the conclusion of the indescribable impact of the Eras Tour," describes the project's website.
"We are following Taylor’s lead and giving back (#iTSgiving13) by choosing Food Banks Canada to help us in this mission as we fight food insecurity in Canada together!"
Organizers are asking that any Swift fan donate just $13 (with 13 being a major number in the Swiftiverse) however, higher donations of any other Swift-inspired amount are, of course, also welcome. Think $19.89, $22, or even $89.
While close to a half-million people are expected to attend Swift's Eras Tour shows between Rogers Centre in Toronto in November and BC Place in Vancouver in December, "Tay It Forward" organizers are encouraging even those who didn't score tickets to pitch in a few bucks.
"You don’t need to attend a concert to be part of this fan project and have the best day. All Swifties and friends of Swifties are welcome! Whether you’ve been watching livestreams, singing in the car, getting lost upstate, dancing like you’re made of starlight at Taylgate, or were one of the lucky ones who got a ticket—YOU can be part of this!"
The project has surpassed its first goal of making it over the $1,989 line (the numbers honour Swift's 1989 album, named for the pop icon's birth year), with a couple of months and a ways to go.
Donors are sharing their stories and rallying support on social media, including on Facebook pages dedicated to Eras Tour dates in Toronto and Vancouver, and the Tay It Forward Canada page.
Donations can be made via the Food Banks Canada "Tay It Forward" fundraising portal.
With files from The Associated Press via The Canadian Press
