For the sixth consecutive year, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to deliver emergency drinking water to volunteer fire departments across the country, including more than 58,000 cans to 25 departments across Kentucky. 

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. 

Across the country, 65 percent of firefighters — typically the first line of defence 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, more than 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water will be distributed to over 630 volunteer fire departments across 44 states throughout the summer as part of the brewer’s larger effort to promote disaster preparedness nationwide.

“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 honoured 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.” 

In Kentucky, the donations of emergency drinking water will be made to 25 volunteer fire departments including West 84 Volunteer Fire Department, Robards Community Fire Department, Baskett Community Fire Department, Cunningham Fire Department, and Ledbetter Fire Protection District.

“We want to thank the volunteer firefighters and first responders for their willingness to show up and keep our homes and families safe,” said Jody Stevenson, Sales Manager at Smith Brothers Distributing Co. “Your sacrifice does not go unseen, and emergency drinking water does not even begin to express our gratitude. Thank you from all of us at Smith Brother Distributing Co. and Anheuser-Busch for all that you do.”

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 9 million cans of clean, safe drinking water to more than 2,000 volunteer fire departments across 49 states.