Anheuser-Busch, for its seventh year in a row, has teamed up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to donate over 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water to volunteer fire departments across the country.
The 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 — having last month produced its 100 millionth can of emergency drinking water for communities in need — and demonstrates its deep appreciation for first responders.
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. 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 45 states.
“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. “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.”
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 more than 10 million cans of clean, safe drinking water to more than 3,100 volunteer fire departments across nearly all 50 states.
“Anheuser-Busch’s continued commitment to supporting volunteer firefighters through emergency drinking water donations has made a meaningful impact,” said Sarah Lee, CEO of the NVFC. “Since our partnership began in 2019, over 10 million cans have gone directly to departments across the country. These donations not only help keep responders safe and hydrated during wildfires and long incidents but also provide vital cost savings that allow departments to allocate their limited budgets to other critical needs.”
Anheuser-Busch’s breweries in Cartersville, Ga., and Fort Collins, Colo., periodically pause beer production each year to can clean, safe emergency drinking water to support disaster relief efforts. Since 1988, Anheuser-Busch has produced more than 100 million cans of clean drinking water for U.S. communities affected by natural disasters and other crises.
