The donation is part of several initiatives
Corby Spirit and Wine is undertaking during the holiday period to
help service industry professionals during what is normally the
busiest time of year
TORONTO, Dec. 1, 2020 /CNW/ - Corby Spirit and Wine
today announced a $100,000 donation
to the Bartenders Benevolent Fund in support of service industry
professionals impacted by COVID-19 restrictions this holiday
season. As the largest corporate donor to the Bartenders Benevolent
Fund, the contribution is part of a wider commitment to the service
industry made by the Canadian hospitality industry leader, and its
partner Pernod Ricard USA across
North America.
Since March, more than 800,000 bartenders, servers, hosts and
kitchen staff in Canada have
experienced financial hardship from loss of employment, a decrease
or complete loss of wages, and temporary lay-offs. To help
Canadians get through this period, Corby Spirit and Wine has
already undertaken several initiatives in support of affected
groups and to protect those on the front lines working to control
the spread of the virus. This latest donation acknowledges the
continuing responsibility of the wine and spirits industry to help
bartenders and others in the industry affected by the
pandemic.
"While we prioritize responsible drinking for the holiday
season, this year we are expanding our definition of
'responsibility' to include our duty to support the professionals
who need it most. Hospitality and foodservice workers from across
Canada are the lifeblood of our
industry, and as a spirits and wine leader, it's our duty to
support the communities that are most important to us," said
Nicolas Krantz, President, Chief
Executive Officer of Corby Spirit and Wine. "That's why we're proud
to be making today's donation, and to embark on several further
initiatives designed to support those in need during what is
traditionally the highlight of the hospitality calendar."
The donation to the Bartenders Benevolent Fund will be allocated
via the non-profit's COVID-19 Support Fund to hospitality industry
professionals facing financial crisis due to the pandemic.
Allocated based on need, the fund is open to workers from across
Canada and is anticipated to
benefit a minimum of 400 bartenders.
"Our community of Canadian bartenders and hospitality workers,
many of whom are already struggling with long-term loss of income,
are facing a daunting holiday season" said Kelsey Ramage, Toronto-based hospitality industry manager and
bartender. "This donation and Corby's continued support are a
welcome boost to us at a critical time."
Corby Spirit and Wine is also working with prominent bartenders
from across Canada to create a
coffee table book of more than 100 cocktail recipes and stories
from Canadian bars and restaurants. All proceeds from the sales of
A Toast from Coast to Coast will also go to the
Bartenders Benevolent Fund & Canadian Professional Bartenders
Association.
In addition, this December, Corby Spirit and Wine will take part
in a further range of digital activations across the country, part
of its wider efforts to support and give back to the service
industry at this time of year.
The organization encourages consumers to remember their
bartenders this holiday season and consider making their own
contributions.
About Corby Spirit and Wine
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a leading Canadian
manufacturer, marketer and distributor of spirits and wines.
Corby's portfolio of owned-brands includes some of the most
renowned brands in Canada, including J.P. Wiser's®, Lot 40®,
and Pike Creek® Canadian whiskies, Lamb's® rum, Polar Ice® vodka,
McGuinness® liqueurs, Ungava® gin, Cabot Trail® maple-based
liqueurs and Chic Choc® Spiced rum, and Foreign Affair® wines.
Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., a global leader in
the spirits and wine industry, Corby also represents leading
international brands such as ABSOLUT® vodka, Chivas Regal®, The
Glenlivet® and Ballantine's® Scotch whiskies, Jameson® Irish
whiskey, Beefeater® gin, Malibu® rum, Kahlúa® liqueur, Mumm®
champagne, and Jacob's Creek®, Wyndham Estate®, Stoneleigh®, Campo
Viejo®, and Kenwood® wines. Corby is a publicly traded company
based in Toronto, Ontario,
and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols
CSW.A and CSW.B. For further information, please visit
our website or follow us
on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter.
About the Bartenders Benevolent Fund
Created in 2013, the Bartenders Benevolent Fund is a nationally
registered non-profit and financial resource for hospitality
professionals in Canada. We are a
volunteer based organization which provides support and resources
to hospitality professionals across the country. We provide funding
for those who have fallen under serious financial hardship, and
programming to elevate our industry and those within it. For more
information, please visit bartendersbenevolentfund.ca.
SOURCE Corby Spirit and Wine Communications