London-based Diageo — the parent company of Guinness, KetelOne vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Bulleit Bourbon and 200 other familiar brands — has launched “Raising the Bar,” a new global recovery fund to offer financial support to bars and pubs struggling with the economic challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
Diageo has set aside $100 million to support neighborhood spots in New York, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala and Sydney — to name a few.
The funds are especially targeted to help pay for specialized items such as medical grade hand sanitizer, masks and gloves, cashless payment and online ordering systems, mobile bars and outdoor equipment.
“We are calling on governments around the world to provide long-term recovery packages to help the hospitality sector. These businesses play an essential role in bringing people together to socialize and celebrate – something that we have all missed so much during this terrible crisis – and sustain hundreds of millions of jobs, which provide a first foot on the employment ladder for young people,” said Ivan Menezes, CEO of Diageo.
The program begins in July. Know someone who needs a boost? Information available at www.diageo.com
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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