Asahi Beverages has partnered with two Australian charities, OzHarvest and Rural Aid, to help deliver support to the community. The company will provide more than $1 million in funding over the next three years as part of its new Asahi Beverages Community Partners Program.
Asahi Beverages Group CEO Amanda Sellers said it was a privilege to support both charities.
“Asahi Beverages is proud to stand beside OzHarvest and Rural Aid, two organisations that reach hundreds of thousands of Australians every year at their time of greatest need,” said Sellers.
“This is a great opportunity to bring together some of Australia’s leading beverage brands – like Great Northern, Cool Ridge and Schweppes – in support of two incredible charities.”
Each charity will receive $200,000 annually for the next three years. The donations will fund frontline projects and initiatives, while also supporting marketing campaigns that can attract additional donations and broaden each charity’s reach.
The power of this approach was shown in April, when Great Northern Brewing Co. partnered with Rural Aid through ‘The Great Shout’ Queensland flood appeal. The campaign delivered an additional $340,000 of donations to Rural Aid, which helped deliver emergency hay, water deliveries, counselling and financial relief for farming families still recovering from the widespread flooding.
Rural Aid CEO, John Warlters, said the new funding will help ensure farming and rural communities are safeguarded before, during and after natural disasters.
“In just the past year, Australia’s farmers have endured a relentless series of natural disasters, from destructive floods in Western Queensland to bushfires and the unyielding drought still gripping parts of Victoria and South Australia. More than 95 per cent of farmers registered with Rural Aid have been directly impacted,” said Warlters.
“With the continued support of Asahi, we’re not only helping rural families recover from these devastating events, we’re working alongside them to build resilience, strengthen communities, and prepare for the increasing challenges of life on the land.”
Asahi Beverages team members will also take part in various charity days and volunteering programs offered by both organisations throughout the year. Over 200 Asahi team members have already joined OzHarvest chefs to transform rescued ingredients into meals through their Cooking For A Cause program.
OzHarvest founder, Ronni Kahn, said Asahi Beverages’ donation will deliver 400,000 meals, divert 200,000 kg of food from landfill and prevent 200,000 kg of greenhouse-gas emissions from entering the atmosphere each year.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Asahi to help reach more people in communities in need, at a time when things are tougher than ever,” said Kahn.
“OzHarvest supports 1550 charities across Australia with vital food relief which is often a lifeline for many people. Demand is at an all-time high, with charities seeing new people every day, many seeking help for the first time in their lives.
“There has never been a more important time to support our cause, so we are truly thankful to the team at Asahi for joining our family.”
