Labatt Breweries of Canada Shift Production to Hand Sanitizer to Fight Spread of COVID-19

TORONTO, March 23, 2020 /CNW/ - Labatt Breweries of Canada is once again mobilizing its Canadian Disaster Relief Program and for the first time, is in the process of shifting production from beer to hand sanitizer across the country in support of the national effort to combat the spread of COVID-19. Initial production will result in 50,000 bottles of hand sanitizer that will be donated to support Food Banks Canada, front line workers and partners in the restaurant and bar industry who are playing a critical role in serving take-out meals in a time of need.  

Labatt Breweries of Canada is in the process of shifting production from beer to hand sanitizer across the country in support of the national effort to combat the spread of COVID-19. (CNW Group/Labatt Breweries of Canada)

Following the guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO), select Canadian facilities will commence the production of hand sanitizer effective immediately. This includes Labatt Breweries facilities in London, Ont., Edmonton, Alta., and Montreal, Que., Goodridge & Williams in Vancouver, B.C. and Mill Street Beer Hall in Toronto, Ont.

"This is a national crisis like we haven't seen in our lifetimes and we feel an obligation to do everything we can to help through our Disaster Relief Program," said Charlie Angelakos, Vice President, Legal and Corporate Affairs, Labatt Breweries of Canada. "Our goal is to get this much needed sanitizer into the hands of those who need it most, especially individuals on the front lines serving their communities as we all pull together."

Donations of the hand sanitizer will be determined on a local basis where Labatt Breweries of Canada facilities are located from coast-to-coast and arrangements for safe delivery will be made.

"It's times like these when organizations like ours need more support than ever – to assist the devoted food bankers on the ground helping those vulnerable people in our communities.  We're so grateful that Labatt is providing us with much-needed hand sanitizer," says Chris Hatch, CEO, Food Banks Canada. "It's great to see a Canadian company step up and do their part in helping the community and I'm sure Labatt's efforts will have a major impact during this difficult time."

Since the inception of Labatt's Disaster Relief Program in 2012, this donation is Labatt's twelfth activation and the very first non-water production. The program has previously provided a total of 460,000 cans of clean drinking water to residents and on-the-ground responders in need across Canada, including in Fort McMurray during the 2016 wildfires and to communities along the St. John River in New Brunswick in 2018 when the province was faced with the worst flooding in decades.

About Food Bank of Canada
Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network in Canada. We are a national charitable organization dedicated to helping Canadians living with food insecurity. We support a network of provincial associations, affiliate food banks, and food agencies that work at the community level to relieve hunger. Our work is focused on maximizing collective impact, strengthening local capacity, and reducing the need for food banks in order to help create a Canada where no one goes hungry. To learn more, visit www.foodbankscanada.ca. 

About Labatt Breweries of Canada
Labatt Breweries of Canada, one of Canada's oldest companies, has been a leading national brewer for more than 170 years. Founded in London, Ontario in 1847, Labatt has six breweries from Newfoundland to British Columbia, and employs 3,500 skilled professionals and craftspeople.  Labatt's portfolio of more than 60 quality beers is unmatched in breadth and quality. Regional favourites include Alexander Keith's, Kokanee, and Labatt Blue. As part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev family, Labatt also offers consumers globally-renowned beers such as Stella Artois, Budweiser, Bud Light, Corona and Goose Island.  Labatt is also a significant player in the craft beer market through Stanley Park Brewing in British Columbia, Toronto's Mill Street, and Archibald Microbrasserie in Quebec, and in the ready-to-drink segment with Palm Bay, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Okanagan Cider and Goodridge & Williams. Labatt is committed to Bring People Together for a Better World, making a positive contribution through multiple programs that support its communities, promote responsible drinking and protect the environment.

SOURCE Labatt Breweries of Canada

For further information: Tamar Nersesian, 416-318-3989, [email protected]