American Red Cross - Experts & Thought Leaders

For the sixth consecutive year, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are joining forces with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to deliver over 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water to volunteer fire departments across the country. This donation will prepare local volunteer firefighters with vital resources ahead of the annual summer wildfire season, rather than waiting until after disaster strikes. The continued partnership builds on the brewer’s longstanding history of showing up for its communities and demonstrates its deep appreciation for the first responders who help to keep them safe. Anheuser-Busch's water donations Anheuser-Busch's water donations allow these departments to free up limited resources Across the country, 65 percent of firefighters — typically the first line of defense in local emergencies — are volunteers, often with limited department budgets for critical supplies. Anheuser-Busch's water donations allow these departments to free up limited resources for other expenses or equipment needed to keep their force prepared to respond to any emergency or disaster.  Produced and canned by Anheuser-Busch breweries, the 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water will be distributed to over 630 volunteer fire departments (VFDs) across 44 states. Partnership with the NVFC "Our continued partnership with the NVFC and volunteer firefighters across the country embodies the rich heritage of Anheuser-Busch and our commitment and long-standing track record of supporting our communities when they need us most - because that’s who we are," said Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer at Anheuser-Busch. Cesar Vargas adds, "Along with our wholesaler partners, Anheuser-Busch is honored to leverage our production, packaging and logistics capabilities to assist the firefighters who lead with courage to protect us every time they’re called upon." Focus on disaster preparedness Anheuser-Busch has been providing support for disaster relief efforts dating back to 1906 Anheuser-Busch has been providing support for disaster relief efforts dating back to 1906, in partnership with the American Red Cross. With an increased focus on disaster preparedness, the brewer started its partnership with the NVFC in 2019 and, together with its wholesaler partners, has delivered nearly nine million cans of clean, safe drinking water to more than 2,000 volunteer fire departments across 49 states. "We’re thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Anheuser-Busch to support local volunteer fire departments across the nation with drinking water so firefighters can stay hydrated and operating at their best during emergency response," said NVFC Chair - Steve Hirsch, adding "This vital resource helps to prepare our communities and improve the resiliency of our country, assuring that firefighters are able to safely protect themselves and our towns year-round." Disaster relief efforts Anheuser-Busch’s breweries in Cartersville, Georgia and Fort Collins, Colorado periodically pause beer production each year to can clean, safe emergency drinking water to support disaster relief efforts.  Since 1988, Anheuser-Busch has donated more than 93 million cans of clean drinking water to U.S. communities affected by natural disasters and other crises.

Anheuser-Busch has released the latest chapter in its “That’s Who We Are” campaign with a tribute to the dedicated network of employees, partners, and first responders who support local communities in times of need. drinking water program Launching in time for National Preparedness Month in September, the new “We Can’t Predict. We Can Prepare.” spot builds on Anheuser-Busch’s 35-year commitment to disaster relief efforts. This ad spotlights those who bring its emergency drinking water program to life and the courageous partners and first responders who serve communities on the front lines.  keeping communities safe This program is deeply meaningful to our employees because it is a unique and important way" “Anheuser-Busch’s identity is rooted in being there for our neighbors when it’s needed most, that’s who we are,” said Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch. Brendan Whitworth adds, “For 35 years, we have worked together with great partners to produce and distribute clean, safe drinking water to people and communities impacted by emergencies and natural disasters. This program is deeply meaningful to our employees because it is a unique and important way we help enable the work our first responders do to keep our communities safe.”  supporting disaster relief Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of providing support for disaster relief efforts through its partnership with the American Red Cross that dates back to 1906. This partnership expanded in 1988 with the founding of the emergency drinking water program. Cumulatively, the company, its wholesaler partners, and the American Red Cross have delivered more than 90 million cans of clean drinking water to U.S. communities affected by natural disasters and other crises since the program’s inception.  American Red Cross We deeply appreciate their ongoing support of our mission and feel fortunate to count on them" "The American Red Cross is there whenever disaster strikes and, for the last 35 years and beyond, Anheuser-Busch has stood right beside us any time we’ve called,” said Anne McKeough, Chief Development Officer for the American Red Cross. Anne McKeough adds, “Their employees and wholesalers embody what it means to be a good neighbor, and we deeply appreciate their ongoing support of our mission and feel fortunate to count them as a partner.” emergency drinking water Anheuser-Busch also partners with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to provide emergency drinking water to volunteer firefighters battling wildfires across the country. Since 2019, over nine million cans of water have been donated to nearly 2,500 departments across 49 states.  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 to support disaster relief efforts. Hydration is critical We are proud to partner with Anheuser-Busch to make sure our wildland firefighters have the water" “We are proud to partner with Anheuser-Busch to make sure our wildland firefighters have the water they need to stay hydrated and functioning at their best,” said NVFC Chair, Steve Hirsch. Steve Hirsch adds, “Hydration is critical to the health and safety of firefighters, and we thank Anheuser-Busch for recognizing and addressing this critical need for our nation’s volunteer responders.” “We Can’t Predict. We Can Prepare.” ad Launching in local markets across the country, the new “We Can’t Predict. We Can Prepare.” ad will air throughout September to honor the team that’s always prepared to ensure clean, safe drinking water is ready to distribute in times of need. The ad showcases the work Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers do alongside their partners who are on the front lines, ensuring critical supplies get to hard-to-reach places following natural disasters. The new spot also shares a behind-the-scenes look at the process required to produce, can, and deliver the water and features a variety of people and roles, from brewmaster to technician and line worker to delivery driver, united by a passion to give back to the first responders who step in and step up when disaster strikes.  deliver critical resources It’s an honor to work alongside Anheuser-Busch to deliver emergency drinking water directly" “It’s an honor to work alongside Anheuser-Busch to deliver emergency drinking water directly to our local first responders,” said Win Stewart, CEO, of Bibb Distributing.  Win Stewart adds, “Showing up in times of need is what being part of a community means, and as a member of our Macon community for over 66 years, we’re proud to be a part of this campaign that shows the real people who work tirelessly to produce and deliver critical resources in times of emergency.” production capabilities “Our team in Cartersville is humbled to be able to leverage our production capabilities to produce emergency drinking water for our friends and neighbors when they need it most,” said Jennifer Logan, General Manager, Anheuser-Busch Cartersville Brewery. Jennifer Logan adds, “We have over 500 full-time and part-time employees here at Anheuser-Busch’s Cartersville Brewery, and while we have much to be proud of, nothing brings this team more pride than being able to show up alongside the heroes of our communities in Georgia and across the country.”  planning and preparing for natural disasters “We hope the launch of the “We Can’t Predict. We Can Prepare.” Advertising just ahead of National Preparedness Month will bring more awareness to the importance of planning and preparing for natural disasters,” said Cesar Vargas, U.S. Chief External Affairs Officer, Anheuser-Busch. Cesar Vargas adds, “Our commitment to local communities and first responders is ingrained in our heritage. Through our emergency drinking water program, Anheuser-Busch stands ready to help our neighbors, friends, and family in times of need.”

Anheuser-Busch, together with its wholesaler partners and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), will provide another one million cans of clean drinking water to volunteer fire departments that respond to wildfires. Through the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program, 1.5 million cans were allocated to over 600 departments during a previous application period in March. This addition means over 1,000 departments will receive 2.5 million cans of water in 2023. Hydration is critical for firefighters Hydration is critical for firefighters, especially those battling wildfires and other crises Hydration is critical for firefighters, especially those battling wildfires and other crises in scorching heat. Yet with many volunteer departments struggling with minimal budgets, obtaining necessities like clean drinking water can be a challenge. Since Anheuser-Busch first partnered with the NVFC in 2019, more than nine million cans of water have been donated to 2,500 departments, providing over one million dollars in cost savings for local departments. Anheuser-Busch and NVFC partnership The application period will be open from August 1 – August 15, 2023. Departments must respond to wildfires annually, be over 50 percent volunteer, and serve a population of 25,000 or less to qualify. Departments approved to receive the water during the first application period (March 15 – March 31, 2023) are not eligible to apply. The emergency drinking water is sourced from Anheuser-Busch’s breweries in Cartersville, Georgia (GA), and Fort Collins, Colorado (CO), which periodically pause beer production to can clean, safe drinking water to support disaster relief efforts in partnership with the American Red Cross and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).