Bernie Sanders Turns His Meme Into a Sweatshirt for Charity
Julián Castro Talks Immigration, Latino Community in the US
People Chica talks to presidential candidate Julian Castro
Senator Bernie Sanders, dressed in a warm coat and fuzzy brown mittens, went viral last week when he was photographed looking less than excited about attending the presidential inauguration. Never one to not think ahead, the politician's team put the popular meme on a crewneck sweatshirt, and all of the proceeds are going to Meals on Wheels programs in the senator's home state of Vermont.
According to the campaign store website, the sweatshirt is currently sold out "due to overwhelming demand," and those lucky enough to score one could wait up to eight weeks for it to arrive.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
Age Well, one of the largest providers of Meals on Wheels in Vermont, shared their reaction to the support of the charity. "BLOWN AWAY by the support for our Meals on Wheels program," they tweeted, along with a link to their organization. "The sweatshirt may be sold out but you can still support Meals on Wheels."
The group also said there has been a 30 to 40 percent increase in need for meal programs since the pandemic began, and that any donations will make a big difference.
We are BLOWN AWAY by the support for our Meals on Wheels program by @SenSanders and so many folks local and across the country.
The sweatshirt may be sold out but you can still support Meals on Wheels: https://t.co/W8uaJXcekh https://t.co/1nEbwsAHOf— Age Well (@AgeWellVT) January 23, 2021
Age Well CEO Jane Catton told WCAX: "On behalf of all of the area agencies on aging and our partners in the community who help us provide meal services, this is a tremendous gift and we couldn't be more grateful."
During an interview with Seth Meyers, the former presidential candidate talked about the viral meme. "I heard about that!" he said. "I was just sitting there trying to keep warm, trying to pay attention to what was going on." Another part of the meme was the manila envelope Sanders was carrying, the contents of which Meyers asked about, too. "I'd love to tell you, Seth, but it's top secret!" Sanders joked.