Kyrie Irving has once again shown his generosity by donating over $24K to the founder of the viral sensation, Pink Sauce. Veronica Shaw, the creator of the controversial sauce, recently started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her struggling company.
Shaw In A Financial Bind
It appears Kyrie Irving has become a hero once again. The NBA superstar recently donated $24,240 to Veronica Shaw, also known as Chef Pii, who founded Pink Sauce.
On her GoFundMe page, which was opened on August 16, Shaw detailed her struggles, including facing possible eviction and being unable to provide her children with clothes for the upcoming school year. Despite Irving’s donation, Shaw’s GoFundMe page, and the NBA star faced criticism on social media.
Veronica Shaw also explains in the GoFundMe description:
“made a few mistakes trusting a company that is trying to take everything away from her.”
Shaw’s “Broke” Accusations Refuted
Some users accused Shaw (Chef Pii) of lying about being broke, while others called Irving a mark. However, according to Blavity, a representative from Dave’s Gourmet, the parent company of Pink Sauce released a statement refuting Shaw’s allegations and stating :
“The company has adhered to the terms of the agreement with Ms. Shaw. We disagree with Ms. Shaw’s allegations. Dave’s Gourmet has paid Chef Pii over $120,000 to date and it continues to make all payments as due and on time based upon the terms of the contract. We’ve offered to reimburse Ms. Shaw for her lawyer’s time to go over the terms of the agreement and how it relates to the payments that were made to Ms. Shaw. She indicated that she’s open to an amicable resolution of the dispute and the parties are in discussions.”
Spectators Not Fond Of Chef Pii’s “Begging”
Despite the positivity surrounding Irving’s donation, his contribution and Chef Pii’s GoFundMe page have been criticized on social media. Numerous donors left vile messages directed towards Shaw, questioning her financial situation and urging her to find a job.
One Twitter user even accused Shaw of lying about being broke, highlighting, “Kyrie Irving donated over $24,000 to the Pink Sauce lady… She was paid $10k two weeks ago, & has received $10k a month for the past year ($120,000) & claiming to be broke. Make it make sense… She spent money on a lifestyle she couldn’t upkeep and didn’t think of her children.”
Another user commented and stated: “ You should be ashamed of yourself. Please hide under a rock, and go away. I’ll be reporting this Donation to get it revoked. Also just get a job.”
How It All Started
In August 2022, Chef Pii initially secured a brand deal with Dave’s Gourmet for her viral Pink Sauce. The condiment became available for purchase on Walmart.com and in 4,000 locations nationwide.
Kyrie’s History Of Philanthropy
Kyrie Irving’s donation to the GoFundMe page is not an isolated instance of his generosity. He has previously donated substantial money to causes and individuals in need.
In July 2023, Irving donated $40,000 to a 93-year-old woman fighting to keep her family’s land, which has been owned since the Civil War. As reported by NetsDaily, a fan page covering Irving’s old team, his total known donations were nearing $500,000 in December 2022.
Kyrie Irving Accused of Anti-Semticism
Kyrie Irving himself has faced controversy, including a suspension from the NBA for antisemitic comments, which garnered support from hip-hop legend Kanye West.
No Frauds
Veronica Shaw’s GoFundMe predicament is not an isolated incident for internet figures. In May 2022, the family of controversial internet sensation Kevin Samuels revealed that an impersonator had started a fraudulent GoFundMe campaign on his behalf.