Industry Still Mobilizing To Aid Sandy’s Victims

As New York and New Jersey continue to clean up after Hurricane Sandy, all three tiers of the beverage alcohol industry have mobilized to help. Facebook and Twitter have been alight with announcements of bar and restaurant fundraising events to aid in recovery, while suppliers and distributors made major donations.

One example of the on-premise industry’s commitment came from a group of Boston restaurateurs who joined to raise money for restaurants in need. An event in Boston at Mike’s City Diner had 50 guests paying $500 to raise $25,000 for the cause. “When we saw the devastation, we wanted to help,” says chef Ken Oringer of Coppa, Clio and other Boston restaurants.

The One Group’s four New York restaurants and an Atlantic City venue were closed temporarily by the storm, but all are up and running, and the group has focused on charitable efforts. One idea was a cocktail called Sandy Support (Wódka vodka, lime, ginger beer and candied ginger with soda) whose proceeds are going to storm-related charities. A previously planned six-year anniversary party for The One Group’s STK meatpacking district restaurant transitioned into a Sandy support party, with 25% of sales going to hurricane relief charities.

Industry players around the country have jumped on board. Diageo, in partnership with the Bridge Foundation, mobilized its Spirit of the Americas Humanitarian Aid program, which provides immediate relief and disaster aid. The company donated two high-powered generators and bottled water to storm-affected areas. Pernod Ricard USA contributed $100,000 to the American Red Cross to fund donations of bottled water and other needed supplies. Beam Inc. donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross to directly aid those impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. And Constellation Brands, Inc. is matching all employee monetary donations two-to-one, up to $100,000, to the American Red Cross in support of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Greater Rochester, New York-area employees are providing in-kind donations of food and clothing, which are being delivered to people in need in the most impacted areas.

In the on-premise, Darden restaurant group has donated truckloads of single-serve water for Sandy relief efforts, and has pledged to contribute $500,000 annually to the Red Cross’s annual disaster giving program. Through an employee match program, Darden will provide more than $1 million in emergency assistance to employees in need. For more details, see Wine Spectator’s coverage on charitable efforts for Sandy’s victims as the relief efforts unfolded.

Tagged : New Jersey, New York

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