The USBG National Charity Foundation announces today that since it began accepting contributions to its Bartender Emergency Assistance Program COVID-19 Relief Campaign in March, it has received donations from more than 4200 individuals and companies.
Donations have come in all sizes, from a few dollars from individual donors up to hundreds of thousands and even millions from beverage companies.
“Donor contributions keep the engine running,” said Kim Haasarud, USBG National Charity Foundation volunteer board member. “We all have a role to play in helping our industry navigate the most challenging obstacle it has ever faced, and their generosity has enabled us to assist every kind of bartender you can imagine, from every corner of the country.”
She continued, “It’s also important to give a shout out to the bartenders who were approved for a grant, saw their level of need change – maybe they received unemployment or their state opened back up allowing them to return to work – and chose to decline the grant, making that money available for a member of our hospitality family in greater need. It’s a sign of the times that perfectly illustrates the spirit of giving that makes the people of our industry so special.”
The Foundation also reports that it expects to have disbursed $6 million in donations by week’s end.
Statistics as of May 19, 2020:
- Total applicants: More than 295,000
- Total donors: More than 4200
- Total $ committed: More than $8 million
- Total volunteers: More than 500
- Total volunteer hours: More than 11,000
- Link to donors and supporters to date: HERE
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Tune into the USBG National Charity Foundation’s weekly Instagram Live briefing @usbgncf on Thursday, May 21 at noon Pacific/3 p.m. Eastern.