Beam Suntory Canada Donates $50,000 To The Bartenders Benevolent Fund and Launches 'First Shift Meals' Program

Donation Supports Canadian Hospitality Workers Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

TORONTO, April 29, 2020 /CNW/ - Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, is donating $50,000 to the Bartenders Benevolent Fund. The donation will support Canada's hard-hit hospitality community with monetary assistance during this unprecedented time of crisis.

The Bartenders Benevolent Fund, a non-profit financial resource for bartenders, servers and front-of-house support staff working in the hospitality industry in Canada, has seen a significant need across the country during the COVID-19 global pandemic, and has been able to meet those needs, with critical funds being provided to applicants on a rolling basis.

"We're proud to support the Bartenders Benevolent Fund and our trade partners, who we see as our extended family, during this difficult time," said Neale Graham, Managing Director, Canada and Canadian Brands, Beam Suntory. "We are committed to supporting Canada's restaurant industry, our trade community, and the people we work alongside who are absolutely fundamental to our business, our brands and the social fabric of Canada."

Beam Suntory is proud of its deep relationship with the hospitality industry and is committed to lending support to those whose livelihoods have been affected by COVID-19. The Canadian foodservice industry has been significantly impacted by the moratorium on dine-in meal options, with 50% of independent restaurants anticipating closing permanently after the crisis, according to Restaurants Canada.

"Beam Suntory's generosity will go a long way in supporting Canada's hospitality community," said Jon Gray, co-founder of the Bartenders Benevolent Fund. "With this funding, we can reach so many bartenders, servers and front-of-house support staff across Canada whose livelihoods have been turned upside down by this crisis."

The Bartenders Benevolent Fund receives applications and disburses financial support on a weekly basis, with the ability for applicants to reapply, if necessary. To date, the organization has dispersed $37,500 during the COVID-19 crisis alone. Hospitality workers who wish to apply for assistance can do so at BartendersBenevolentFund.ca.

To further support Canadian hospitality workers, Beam Suntory Canada has launched the 'First Shift Meals' program, which will provide meals for bar and front of house staff who are currently out of work. This campaign will facilitate the purchasing of wholesome meals through Beam Suntory's bar and restaurant partners.

Learn more about Beam Suntory's donations and commitments during COVID-19 by visiting its website: https://www.beamsuntory.com/en/growing-for-good and following the company on Twitter: @beamsuntory or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beamsuntory/.

Bartenders Benevolent Fund
Founders Jon Gray of Drink Tank, Jon Humphrey of the Drake Properties and Dr. Andrew Toplack of the Toplack Sessions are available for comment. 

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 www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

About the Bartenders Benevolent Fund:
Created in 2013, the Bartenders Benevolent Fund is a non-profit financial resource for bartenders, servers and front-of-house support staff working in the hospitality industry in Canada. We provide funding for those who have fallen under serious financial hardship and our mission is to work in earnest to ensure that those in need can make ends meet. The Bartenders Benevolent Fund's mandate is to offer support to the hospitality industry, by the hospitality industry: our funds are awarded anonymously by local hospitality professionals from each market.

© 2020 Beam Suntory, Inc., Merchandise Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60654

SOURCE Beam Suntory Inc.

Media Contact: Beam Suntory, Riley Connor | PRAXIS, [email protected] | 289.719.0676; Rachel Betts-Wilmott at 403-836-5750 or [email protected]