Anheuser-Busch Joins American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program

$500,000 donation will support immediate disaster relief on national and local level

ST. LOUIS, (May 6, 2014) – Today Anheuser-Busch proudly announced a partnership with the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP), enabling the organization to respond immediately to disasters in every community nationwide. These immediate relief efforts include shelter, food, health services and other emergency and reconstruction assistance to those impacted by disasters in the United States. Another $250,000 donation by Anheuser-Busch in 2014 will support Red Cross Blood Services work, which collects and supplies approximately 40 percent of the blood and blood products used in the U.S.

The $750,000 in contributions this year builds on a longstanding partnership between Anheuser-Busch and the Red Cross that began in 1906, when the company made a contribution to the Red Cross to support victims of the San Francisco earthquake. Since then, Anheuser-Busch has supported disaster relief on a national and local level. Anheuser-Busch was also the founding sponsor of Ready Rating with a $2.1 million grant, a program that helps prepare businesses, schools and organizations for disasters and emergencies. Last, Anheuser-Bush has provided more than 72 million cans of emergency drinking water since 1988 through the Red Cross to cities and states around the country impacted by floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.

“Anheuser-Busch has been committed to building community resilience for more than 100 years, since we began our partnership with the Red Cross, and supported the organization's efforts to prepare all corners of our country for emergencies, big and small,” said Margarita Flores, vice president of Community Affairs for Anheuser-Busch. “We are pleased to continue our strong partnership by joining the Annual Disaster Giving Program, enabling the Red Cross to respond to disasters and provide relief to individuals, families and communities at a moment's notice.”

Anheuser-Busch – the first ADGP member in St. Louis – and other members of the ADGP pledge donations on an ongoing basis, in advance of major disasters, to help the Red Cross ensure an immediate response to meet the needs of those affected by disasters of all sizes, at no cost and regardless of income. In addition to the company's financial commitment, Anheuser-Busch will encourage employees to volunteer with the Red Cross, give blood, and take courses such as First Aid or CPR.

“We are incredibly grateful to Anheuser-Busch for being such a generous and steadfast partner to the Red Cross for more than a century,” said Neal Litvack, chief development officer for Red Cross. “The donations by members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program create a reliable funding base for disaster relief services and enable us to immediately assist victims of disaster with food, shelter, and other essential assistance and support our volunteers who work tirelessly at the scene.”

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

Anheuser-Busch and its employees build on a legacy of corporate social responsibility by focusing on three key areas: promoting alcohol responsibility, preserving and protecting the environment and supporting local communities. In the past three decades, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers have committed more than $1 billion in national advertising campaigns and community-based programs to encourage responsible drinking and prevent underage drinking and drunk driving. Anheuser-Busch reduced total water use at its breweries 32 percent over the last 5 years and by 45.5 percent over the last 10 years. The company has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. Since 1997, Anheuser-Busch and its Foundation have invested in local communities through donations of more than $530 million to charitable organizations. The company also has provided more than 72 million cans of drinking water to people impacted by natural and other disasters since 1988. Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch, the leading American brewer, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.