October 3, 2022 – This summer, Anheuser-Busch and Ben E. Keith Beverages provided more than 50,000 cans of emergency drinking water to fifteen volunteer fire departments in Texas. To aid in recovery efforts from the worsening natural disasters experienced in the state, five Ben E. Keith Beverages branches donated pallets of water to the hardworking individuals who selflessly give their time and commitment to their local communities.
Volunteers comprise 67 percent of firefighters in the United States and are the first line of defense in emergencies, but often operate with limited resources and staffing. For these local heroes, clean drinking water is essential when protecting their communities.
The water is sourced from Anheuser-Busch’s breweries in Cartersville, Georgia and Fort Collins, Colorado, which periodically pause beer production to can emergency drinking water in times of disaster. Ben E. Keith Beverages is proud to partner with Anheuser-Busch and its emergency drinking water program with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) for the fourth year.
“We take pride in giving back to our communities, and an important part of any community is its local heroes. Hydration is key and it’s an area in which we can help,” said Fort Worth’s General Manager, Philip Ward. “If we can provide a resource that is one less thing for the firehouse to think about, and keep them focused on fighting fires, it is the least we can do!”
Through its partnership with NVFC, Anheuser-Busch expanded its emergency drinking water program in 2019 to provide critical hydration to the volunteer firefighters across the country. To date, the program has donated over 4.8 million cans of water to volunteer fire departments.
“Each wholesaler partner plays an integral part of this incredibly meaningful program,” said Colleen Lucas, Vice President of Community Impact at Anheuser-Busch. “It is a tremendous source of pride for all of us at Anheuser-Busch as we are able to do our part to recognize and support the heroes who protect our communities from natural disasters.”
Learn more about the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program at www.nvfc.org/water.
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ABOUT BEN E. KEITH BEVERAGES
Ben E. Keith Company, established in 1906, began selling Anheuser-Busch products in 1933. Today, Ben E. Keith Company’s Beverage division is the third largest independent beer wholesaler in the country. With fourteen Sales & Distribution Centers the company operates throughout the state of Texas and distributes import beers, craft beers, spirits, wine products, and nonalcoholic beverages. For more information, please visit www.benekeith.com. Follow us on Facebook.com/benekeith.
ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH
At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 160 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 19,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America's most loved beer brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA and Stella Artois, as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable advocacy, resources, programs, and education for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.