Beer Distributors Respond Following Hurricane Florence

Beer distributors have stepped up again following a natural disaster.

The North Carolina Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association this week presented a $50,000 donation from the Independent Beer Distributors Relief Fund (IBDRF) to the North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund. The donation will assist recovery efforts in the Carolinas following the devastation of Hurricane Florence. The check was presented at “Come Together for the Coast,” a fundraiser to support businesses, families and communities affected by the storm.

“America’s 3,000 independent distributors have roots in every corner of our country,” says NBWA President and CEO, and IBDRF board member, Craig Purser. “For these folks, helping their neighbors is second nature. When Hurricane Florence hit the Carolinas, this community was right there and ready to help. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of the Carolinas as they recover from the wrath of Hurricane Florence.”

North Carolina’s independent beer distributors employ nearly 4,000 people statewide across 68 distributor facilities. The lives of many members of this community have been upended by the recent hurricane, the NBWA says, and those in other parts of the state are lending a helping hand to impacted communities and families.

“Hurricane Florence caused unprecedented destruction in Wilmington and all across Eastern North Carolina,” says Tee Nunnelee, president of Coastal Beverage in Wilmington. “From a halt in business to employees losing their homes, I’ve seen first-hand the damage caused by this storm. On behalf of Coastal Beverage, I want to thank everyone who has volunteered their time and provided resources to the recovery effort. Getting back to normal won’t be easy, but I find comfort knowing that our community and state have overwhelming support from across the country.”

“Come Together for the Coast” was created to raise proceeds for the hurricane-ravaged communities left behind by Hurricane Florence. In partnership with The Sunday Supper, a Raleigh-based non-profit organization, and Chef Scott Crawford of Crawford and Son, the event included signature dishes, music and a live auction all benefiting Hurricane Florence recovery efforts. Net proceeds were contributed to the Sunday Supper Gift Fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation.

Initiated after the devastation left behind by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, several Texas beer distributors created the IBDRF to enable America’s independent beer distributors to come together as an industry and provide assistance to communities recovering from natural disasters.

“We started the Independent Beer Distributors Relief Fund as a way to help after Hurricane Harvey hit,” says IBDRF board member Val Peisen. “As family-owned businesses deeply ingrained in our communities, we believe it is essential to help our neighbors. That’s why when Florence hit, we were ready to get involved to help those affected. We’re pleased to be able to make this donation to the North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, and we hope that it makes rebuilding their lives just a little bit easier.”