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 US.

This is the sixth year that Anheauser Busch have worked with the NVFC – and this year they’re sending more than 49,000 cans to 21 fire departments across Mississippi. 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 and Southern Beverage Company – Laurel delivers emergency drinking water to Sylvarena Volunteer Fire Department in Raleigh, Mississippi.

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 Mississippi, the donations of emergency drinking water will be made to 21 volunteer fire departments including Southwest Covington Volunteer Fire Department, Powers Volunteer Fire Department, New Zion Volunteer Fire Department, Hopewell Volunteer Fire Department, Reformation Volunteer Fire Department, Sylvarena Volunteer Fire Department and more.

 “Working alongside Anheuser-Busch to deliver emergency drinking water to volunteer firefighters is an honour,” said Theo Costas, EAM at Southern Beverage Co-Ridgeland. “Their dedication is remarkable, and we’re thankful to contribute to their preparedness for times when disaster strikes.”

“Our volunteers have been purchasing water out of their own pockets in order to stay hydrated while fighting wildfires in this Mississippi heat,” said Chief Bryan Walters of Sylvarena Volunteer Fire Department (Raleigh, MS). “We can’t thank Anheuser-Busch and Southern Beverage Company enough for relieving that burden and supplying us with drinking water. It will be put to good use by our own crew and mutual aid partners that battle wildfires alongside us.”

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.

“We’re excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Anheuser-Busch to support local VFDs across the nation with emergency drinking water,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “This vital resource assures that firefighters are able to safely protect themselves and our towns year-round.”

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.