By David Robb  Deadline                                                                                                                                          May 4, 2020 7:32 pm

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation has distributed more than $3.5 million in emergency aid to SAG-AFTRA members from its COVID-19 Relief Fund – up by $2.5 million since April 7.

Foundation president Courtney B. Vance, in his sixth “fireside chat” video update on the Relief Fund’s efforts, noted that there’s a “substantial queue of applications still in review,” and that “it’s taking approximately three weeks to receive aid, so we continue asking for your patience.”

“Tomorrow, May 5th, marks Giving Tuesday Now,” he said, pitching for donations. “Typically, this global day of generosity takes place in December. But due to COVID-19, there is an extra opportunity for people to contribute to their favorite non-profits. I hope, if you’re in a position to do so, you’ll consider donating to our Relief Fund.”

Emergency financial assistance is available to SAG-AFTRA members who, over the next two months, are unable to pay their basic living expenses, such as food, housing and health care. The Foundation asks members to wait to apply if they have the resources to cover that period. “These are unprecedented times and we all must steward our resources very carefully,” the Foundation says on its website.