Beam Suntory And Southern Glazer’s Wine Spirits Donate one Million To-Support Impacted Bar And Restaurant Employees
Beam Suntory And Southern Glazer’s Wine Spirits Donate one Million To-Support Impacted Bar And Restaurant Employees
March 20, 2020 (CHICAGO, IL) – Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (SGWS), the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, will donate a total of $1 million to the United States Bartenders' Guild (USBG) Foundation Emergency Assistance Program and the Restaurant Workers Community Foundation.
These organizations support the bar and restaurant community and are providing financial aid and other resources for workers who are most impacted by COVID-19 as a result of restaurant and bar closures across the country.
Beam Suntory is equally grateful to Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits that the company shares its people-first approach – a powerful example of what these businesses and their relationship can do, especially in times of crisis.
“The people of Beam Suntory and our colleagues at SGWS are passionate about helping support the bartenders, restaurant workers and their families whose lives have been turned upside down by the global pandemic,” said Albert Baladi, President and CEO, Beam Suntory. “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary actions. We are proud to support the trade community and their livelihoods, as they are part of our extended Beam Suntory family, and we are fortunate to be part of an industry where so many companies are uniting to assist our communities in this unprecedented battle.”
“We are pleased to partner with Beam Suntory to support the trade community,” said Wayne Chaplin, CEO, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “In a time of great need, it is important to unite efforts to provide the trade with extra resources to ensure everyone ultimately emerges in a position of strength, together.”
Additionally, Beam Suntory is working with its other distributors across various states, including Major Brands, Badger Liquor, Fedway Associates, Inc., Allied Beverage Group, LLC, Empire Distributors, Inc., Best Brands, Inc., and Horizon Beverage Group, to provide donations to local organizations that will further help support the trade in their respective communities during this challenging time.
About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.
Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit https://www.beamsuntory.com and https://www.drinksmart.com.
About Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol, and proud to be a multi-generational, family-owned company. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, and employs nearly 22,000 team members. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit https://www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SouthernGlazers.
About the United States Bartenders’ Guild
Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders’ Guild®️ is a non-profit professional society of bartenders and other hospitality professionals uniting the hospitality community to advance professional bartending. The USBG believes that every US bartender achieves greater personal and professional success by connecting to diverse local and national hospitality communities. Through our network of over 40 communities nationwide, the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer learning, expert instruction, community service projects, and skills-based competition. Learn more at usbg.org.
About Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation
Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation (RWCF) is an advocacy and action nonprofit created by and for restaurant workers. While RWCF was founded in 2018 to advocate for gender equality, racial justice, fair wages, and healthy work environments in the restaurant industry, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the RWCF Crisis Relief Fund's full focus is now on supporting workers, small business owners, and an industry in crisis. The fund is structured to address three needs: 50% will go to Southern Smoke Foundation to support the individuals in the restaurant industry who are in immediate financial crisis, 25% to support the organizations working to provide crisis relief such as mental health support, childcare, and food pantries, and 25% to establish a no-interest, no-collateral loan program for small businesses that need help getting back up and running after this crisis has passed. For more information, please visit www.RestaurantWorkersCF.org.
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