Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) for the fifth consecutive year to donate emergency drinking water to local fire departments nationwide. More than 9,000 cans will be donated to four fire departments across Florida to help them prepare for and respond in times of crisis and long incident at home.
In Florida, the donations of emergency drinking water will be made to four volunteer fire departments including the Munson Volunteer Fire and Rescue District, Jay Volunteer Fire Department, Lorida Volunteer Fire Department, and Cross Creek Volunteer Fire Department.
Firefighters and first responders in our communities rely on clean drinking water to stay hydrated in times of need; yet volunteer fire departments often lack the budget and resources to supply. The water donations to Florida fire departments are designed to deliver on this critical need, as well as to support the communities where Anheuser-Busch’s customers and employees live and work.
“Having access to clean drinking water is crucial for first responders during prolonged emergencies like active wildfires, so it’s critical to our readiness to have these resources on hand when crises occur,” said John King, Chief of the Munson Volunteer Fire and Rescue District. “We thank Anheuser-Busch and the NVFC for the water donations and their continued support of fire and EMS responders.”
Now in its fifth year, the partnership between Anheuser-Busch and the NVFC is expanding its reach to provide 2.5 million cans – more than ever before – to over 600 volunteer fire departments (VFDs) across 47 states, with a goal of reaching more than 1,000 VFDs before the end of the year. The initiative’s expansion represents a significant evolution in the brewer’s 30-year-strong commitment to disaster relief, as well its deep appreciation for the first responders who are keeping their communities safe.
“Showing up for our communities and first responders has long been part of Anheuser-Busch’s legacy – that’s who we are. We’re proud to continue building on that tradition by working with our wholesaler partners and NVFC to support our neighbors, friends, and families,” said Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer at Anheuser-Busch.
“Emergency drinking water is critical for firefighters’ safety and ability to respond to crises at home each year,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “We appreciate Anheuser-Busch’s increased commitment to supplying our nation’s fire service with this much-needed resource and for their continued partnership in keeping our communities safe.”
Since 2019, Anheuser-Busch and its national network of independent wholesalers – including local partners, Bernie Little Distributers, Burkhardt Sales and Service, and Lewis Bear Company – have partnered with the NVFC to donate more than 8 million cans of clean, safe drinking water to more than 1,400 fire departments across 49 states to support disaster response needs.
“At The Lewis Bear Company, we’re proud to support the dedicated members of the Munson Volunteer Fire and Rescue District fire department with this delivery of emergency drinking water, in partnership with Anheuser-Busch,” said Chad Bonner, President of The Lewis Bear Company. “We hope it provides some relief as they battle fires and other emergencies throughout the year.”
The emergency drinking water is sourced from Anheuser-Busch’s breweries in Cartersville, Georgia and Fort Collins, Colorado which periodically pause beer production to can clean, safe drinking water to support disaster relief efforts in partnership with the American Red Cross and NVFC. Since the creation of its emergency drinking water program in 1988, Anheuser-Busch has donated more than 90 million cans of clean drinking water to U.S. communities affected by natural disasters and other crises. Learn more about the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program.
