Jeff Bezos and Leonardo DiCaprio are among a whole host of celebrities to donate millions to help feed America amid the coronavirus pandemic.

DiCaprio launched ‘America’s Food Fund’ along with founder of Emerson Collective Laurene Powell Jobs and Apple, kicking off the fundraiser with ‘an extraordinary gift of $12 million’ (£9.69 million).

All proceeds of the fundraiser will go towards food banks Feeding America and World Central Kitchen, with demand for food among the vulnerable greater than ever in the country.

Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey and will.i.am are among the celebrities to support the fundraiser since it was launched yesterday (Thursday), while Amazon founder Jeff Bezos – the richest man in the world – has pledged $100 million (£80.82 million) to Feeding America.

In a post on Instagram, Bezos – whose net worth sits at an estimated $117 billion (£93.94 billion) – said: “Even in ordinary times, food insecurity in American households is an important problem, and unfortunately Covid-19 is amplifying that stress significantly

“Non-profit food banks and food pantries rely in large part on surplus food from a range of food businesses. For example, many restaurants donate excess food. But during this time of social distancing, restaurants are closed, and many other normal channels of excess food have also shut down.

“To make matters worse, as supply is dwindling, demand for food bank services is going up.“

He continued: “Today, I want to support those on the front lines at our nation’s food banks and those who are relying on them for food with a $100 million gift to @FeedingAmerica,’ Bezos continued in the social media post. ‘Feeding America will quickly distribute the funds to their national network of food banks and food pantries, getting food to those countless families who need it.”