For the sixth consecutive year, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesale partners are joining forces with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to deliver more than 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water to 630 volunteer fire departments in 44 states.
More than 30,500 cans were delivered to 13 volunteer firefighter departments in the state, including Tabernacle. In New Jersey, Anheuser-Busch’s partners include Harrison Beverage Co., Ritchie & Page Distributing Co. Inc., High Grade Beverage Randolph, High Grade Beverage Monmouth and NVFC.
The water donations will prepare local volunteer firefighters with vital resources ahead of the annual summer wildfire season, which runs from mid-March to mid-May, rather than waiting until after disaster strikes. The partnership builds on the national brewer’s longstanding history of aiding communities and showing appreciation for first responders, according to an Anheuser-Busch release.
Across the country, 65% of firefighters — typically the first line of defense in local emergencies — are volunteers, often with limited department budgets for critical supplies. The water donations allow them to free up limited resources for other expenses or equipment.
“Our continued partnership with the NVFC and volunteer firefighters across the country embodies … our commitment and long-standing track record of supporting our communities when they need us most,” said Cesar Vargas, chief external affairs officer at Anheuser-Busch.
The brewer has provided support for disaster relief efforts dating back to 1906, in partnership with the American Red Cross, and started its partnership with the NVFC in 2019. Since 1988, Anheuser-Busch has donated more than 93 million cans of water for communities affected by natural disasters and other crises.
Learn more about Anheuser-Busch’s partnership with the NVFC at www.nvfc.org/water.
