'TIS THE SEASON

Sony Music Group is pledging nearly $500,000 to organizations focused on food insecurity, homelessness and education via its second annual "Season of Giving" campaign, which gets underway next month. The company will make charitable contributions in every region where it has a presence, including the United States, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada and Iberia.

Among the Season of Giving beneficiaries are the U.K.’s New Horizon Youth Centre, Germany’s Vision for Children, the Lagos Food Bank, Los Angeles’ Alexandria House, Miami’s Overtown Youth Center, Rise Against Hunger in the Philippines and the Santa Shoebox Project in South Africa.

In addition, SMG artists will volunteer with partner organizations in their home territories. Participating acts include Devon Cole, Billy Talent and Voivod in Canada, Lostboy and Mimi Webb in the U.K., Shoti in the Philippines, BARKAA in Australia and Halle and Ferg in the U.S.

Says SMG EVP of philanthropy and social impact Towalame Austin, “We’re thrilled to partner with such impactful organizations, alongside our artists and songwriters, to make a difference.”