Letters: Newark company distributes emergency drinking water to first responders

Newark company helps distribute emergency drinking water

In grateful acknowledgement of First Responders Day on Oct. 28, Matesich Distributing Co. in Newark is proud to deliver Anheuser-Busch emergency drinking water to local fire departments in support of Wildfire Relief Efforts as they continue to protect our communities.

With volunteers comprising 67% of firefighters in the United States, these brave men and women are our first line of defense in a range of emergencies, while often operating with limited resources and staffing. For these local heroes, clean drinking water is essential to ensure they can be at their peak performance when protecting our communities.

The donation of emergency drinking water was sourced from Anheuser-Busch’s brewery in Cartersville, Georgia, which periodically pauses beer production to can clean and safe drinking water to be delivered to communities in times of need. Through a partnership launched in 2019 with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the national association representing America’s volunteer fire departments, Anheuser-Busch has donated over 4.8 million cans of water to volunteer fire departments.

In 2023, Matesich Distributing has been fortunate to have been able to deliver water to seven fire departments, and counting.

Since 1906, Anheuser-Busch has been providing emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief in partnership with the American Red Cross, donating more than 90 million cans of clean drinking water to U. S. communities affected by natural disasters and other crises. More information can be found at www.nvfc.org/water.

Kelly Jones, director of marketing and community engagement, Matesich Distributing Co., Newark

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Newark company gives emergency drinking water to fire depts.