How 4 Beverage Suppliers Are Giving Back Amid COVID-19 Crisis

CHICAGO — As the coronavirus continues to spread, beverage companies are stepping up to help their communities.

In addition to many liquor and beer makers producing hand sanitizer for first responders, local governments and hospitals, beverage suppliers have also donated to nonprofit organizations across the globe that are supporting communities affected by COVID-19.  

Click through to read about initiatives from companies such as The Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo and more …  

Molson Coors Beverage Co., Chicago, pledged $1 million to the United States Bartenders’ Guild, a nonprofit that supports bartenders and other industry professionals. Many of these workers are out of a job due to widespread closures caused by the coronavirus.

Miller Lite is encouraging others to follow suit in a new social media campaign that directs people to the USBG National Charity Foundation’s Bartender Emergency Assistance Program.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 37 years in the beer business, it’s that bartenders have always played a key role on the front lines selling our products,” said Kevin Doyle, president of U.S. sales for Molson Coors. “Over the years they’ve helped make our brands successful, and it’s only right we give something back.”

Through its foundation, The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, donated $5 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support the organization’s commitment to youth and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Coca-Cola Foundation’s donation will help ensure Boys & Girls Clubs can distribute food, bottled water and other necessary supplies; operate for longer hours; craft and implement contingency plans to meet community needs, including when and how to reopen; and provide emergency relief funding to support clubs in the areas hit hardest by the pandemic.

"We are all concerned about the growing impact of coronavirus, especially on our youth," said Helen Smith Price, president of The Coca-Cola Foundation. "Through a grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we will continue to support their efforts to engage our youth and provide relief, safety and stability during this critical time."

Constellation Brands Inc., in partnership with several of its beer, wine and spirits brands, has donated more than $2.5 million to COVID-19 relief efforts.

“It’s important that we all come together to help those most in need in this critical time. We are focusing our support on efforts that directly benefit those impacted today while also helping the larger industry on its path to recovery,” said Bill Newlands, president and CEO of the Victor, N.Y., company.

Constellation and brands including Corona Extra, Meiomi, Kim Crawford and The Prisoner contributed $1 million to the upcoming launch of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.

Constellation, in partnership with Model, pledged $500,000 to the charity of the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild, and Model has given another $250,000 to support first responders.

The company also created the Constellation Brands COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund, through which Constellation will match contributions from its employees two-to-one to benefit nonprofit organizations supporting communities affected by the coronavirus.

PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., is donating more than $45 million to help people and communities most affected by the coronavirus. The money will fund COVID-19 support, including protective gear for healthcare workers, testing and screening services and the distribution of more than 50 million meals to at-risk populations.

The money will be donated globally, with $15.8 million being donated in North America. The efforts in North America will focus primarily on increasing access to nutrition for out-of-school children in the U.S., as well as funding protective gear for healthcare workers and providing support for restaurant workers who are out of a job.

PepsiCo is also offering a two-to-one match for all employee charitable contributions to a group of nonprofits providing COVID-19 relief globally, contributing up to $2 million.