Anheuser-Busch donates to China earthquake relief

Anheuser-Busch Cos. is donating $500,000 to the Chinese Red Cross to aid relief efforts for victims of Monday’s 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the Sichuan province in Central China, killing thousands.

St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch also will provide about $1.1 million worth of fresh drinking water to the area, or about 425,000 cases. 

The money donated by Anheuser-Busch will be used by the Chinese Red Cross to set up temporary housing for families who lost their homes in the quake, as well as to help cover other costs associated with the relief efforts.

The donated bottled water will start being shipped immediately and be distributed to residents throughout five counties hit hard by the quake.

The water distribution area includes Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan.  Chengdu is home to an Anheuser-Busch regional sales office with more than 50 employees. 

“The impact of the earthquake has been felt around the world and affected people within our own Anheuser-Busch family,” said YR Cheng, president of Anheuser-Busch China.  “In this time of need, it’s important for communities to pull together and corporations to lend a helping hand in any way possible.”