New York-listed casino operator MGM Resorts International has pledged to donate $1m and provide the equivalent of 400,000 meals to support those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.

The $1m crisis and disaster pledge will go into an Employee Emergency Grant Fund, which provides the company’s employees and their immediate families with short-term relief in making payments during unexpected hardships and emergencies.

The pledge will help assist those impacted by the coronavirus, including full-time employees, on-call employees and those facing layoff, separation or furlough.

The operator has also donated 480,000 pounds of food, the equivalent of 400,000 meals, to the communities in which the company operates. MGM Resorts is working with local food banks to ensure all available fresh food from its casino properties are safely and quickly donated to charitable organizations in several underserved areas.

“As we confront extraordinary events and an unprecedented global pandemic crisis, we know that this is an extremely challenging and uncertain time for many of our employees, their families, friends and neighbors and we are committed to help those in need,” said MGM Resorts International acting CEO and president Bill Hornbuckle.

“We have done a number of things to help our colleagues, including significantly expanding eligibility coverage for the MGM Employee Emergency Grant Fund. We’ve also stepped up our commitment to communities around the country. Over the past week, MGM has donated the equivalent of 400,000 meals through local food banks to alleviate food insecurity in the United States.”

MGM Resorts International senior vice president and chief diversity and sustainability officer Jyoti Chopra commented: “In battling the current global crisis, at MGM Resorts we intend to embrace humanity, exemplify inclusion and exhibit compassion. Our commitment to our employees and the communities in which we operate, conduct business and serve our customers, remains steadfast.”

In November, MGM Resorts launched Focused on What Matters, a companywide program focused on making positive impacts in its communities. By 2025, the company hopes to see 5m meals donated through its Feeding Forward program and surpassing 1m volunteer hours within the community.

Shares in MGM Resorts International (NYQ:MGM) closed up 22.10 per cent to $11.17 per share in New York Monday.