Bernie Sanders’ meme managed to collect almost 2000 …

The image of Bernie sanders during the inauguration of Joe Biden, he became one of the memes most popular so far this year, but it also source of profit that the Democratic senator from the state of Vermont managed to muster for charitable purposes.

The 79-year-old lawmaker announced that his campaign managed to raise $ 1.8 million thanks to the sale of T-shirts and jumpsuits in his image, bundled up in a wool parka and mittens, a chin strap and seated in front of the Capitol during the presidential inauguration. Money collected will be assigned to the Vermont headquarters of “Meals on Wheels” (Food on Wheels), the Vermont Parents and Children Network, and other state organizations that provide assistance primarily to children and the elderly.

“Jane and I have been amazed at the creativity that so many people have shown over the past week, and we are happy to be able to use my internet fame to help Vermont people in needSanders said in a statement and also named his wife.

“But even this amount of money does not replace the action of Congress,” he added, referring to efforts to push through a huge financial aid package amid the pandemic.

“I will do everything possible in Washington to ensure that workers in Vermont and across the country receive the help they need amid the worst crisis we have seen since the Great Depression,” added the senator who heads the progressive wing of the Party. Democrat.

T-shirts and divers -which cost respectively $ 27 and $ 45 – sold out 30 minutes after going on sale. Now, those who want to get one will have to sign up on a waiting list. The senator also gave stickers with his image for the amount each taxpayer would like to pay.

The original image was taken by AFP photographer Brendan Smialowski and, according to Sanders’ office, Getty Images, in charge of distributing the agency’s photos in the United States, will donate all proceeds from photography to Meals on Wheels.

Sale of T-shirts and photo have also been added the auction of a Sanders doll woven by Tobey Perales King, a woman who makes crochet creations for sale through her Instagram account.

Perales King woven the senator from Vermont and, due to the impact he had on social media, decided to auction the doll on Ebay to raise money for Meals on Wheels. The Sanders replica auction started on Saturday at 99 cents and In just three days he reached $ 20,300, the winning bid.

For its part, the platform Ebay has promised to donate the same amount of the winning bid to the NGO chosen by Perales King, with which the initiative has accumulated more than 40,000 donations in a few days.

“Senator Sanders has long been a supporter of Meals on Wheels and it is amazing how an unexpected moment when he becomes the center of attention inspires others to come together to fight the hunger and loneliness in our lives. . ” Older Jenny Young, spokesperson for the organization, said in a statement.