During this time of uncertainty, Bacardi-Martini Australia is supporting the hospitality industry throughout the COVID-19 crisis by offering financial aid and relief to those impacted through their recently launched platform #RaiseYourSpirits.
As a Night Time Industries Association member, Bacardi-Martini Australia is rallying and lobbying for more hospitality support from the government and providing venue vouchers for Primos and trade customers to ensure cash is in venues’ tills during COVID-19. Globally, family-owned Bacardi Limited’s #RaiseYourSpirits platform has pledged $3 million US dollars to help support their industry partners, along with multiple Bacardi-owned manufacturing sites switching their production to produce hand sanitiser to assist with the worldwide demand.
Along with the $3 million US dollars pledged by Bacardi brands including BACARDI Rum, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, GREY GOOSE vodka, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin and DEWAR’S Blended Scotch whisky, an additional $1 million US dollars has been pledged by Bacardi’s PATRON tequila.
This financial aid is to assist those on the frontline of the hospitality industry during this unimaginable time. Bacardi Limited is working with established non-profits that are providing aid quickly to those in the industry hit hard by the pandemic, including Another Round, Another Rally; CORE; the James Beard Foundation; Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation; and Tales of the Cocktail.
With a large local focus, many of the Bacardi Limited’s efforts around the world are grassroots – supporting bars and bartenders across countries, cities and neighbourhoods to provide real time financial support, meals and other necessities to those in need.
“Bacardi is a family company, and for us, now is the time to show our gratitude and support to our extended family members, our friends and partners working on those bars in which we build our brands .” said Bacardi Martini Australia managing director Mauricio Vergara.
“We don’t have all the answers today on how best to help everywhere, but we are committed to do what we can to see our industry through this crisis. These may be the darkest of days for bars and restaurants, but I am certain that when we come out on the other side, people will emerge from isolation with a renewed zest to live life to the fullest and celebrate together with friends and family.”
In addition to the financial aid Bacardi Limited has pledged, the company has also expanded its commitment across countries and brands to help produce more than 900,000 litres of hand sanitisers worldwide.
Nine Bacardi Limited-owned manufacturing sites across the United States, Mexico, France, England, Italy, Scotland and Puerto Rico are joining the efforts, diverting their production power, resources and processes to supply the much-needed alcohol essential for the increased production of hand sanitisers. These sanitisers will be donated to local organisations, emergency responders, and local communities, along with employees and contractors, in an effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
All hand sanitisers produced in collaboration with Bacardi Limited contain more than the minimum alcohol content recommended by the World Health Organisation for containing the spread of the virus.
Committed to lending a hand during this unprecedented hardship, Bacardi Limited’s efforts can be followed on Instagram via #RaiseYourSpirits.
