San Diego’s breweries are well known for quality across styles and brewing innovation, but their stellar reputations extend far beyond the beer they produce. From large, multi-million-dollar interests with multiple locations and distribution across the country to small, family-run neighborhood nanobreweries, these local businesses are about giving back to their communities through fundraising beers, events and other philanthropic initiatives. It’s truly inspiring, and it’s inspired me to do the same. My vehicle for following in their footsteps is called San Diego Beer News Gives Back.
Earlier this year, I reached out to every brewing company in the county, asking them to tell me about charities, causes and nonprofits they have worked with or hold close to their hearts. In doing so, I requested background information so I could find out more about each of the organizations. After conducting research, I created a short list of four factions doing good work in various arenas, and starting Monday, December 5, San Diego Beer News will devote a week to each of them, launching online fundraising campaigns and matching donations to each organization over that span. *
The following is a schedule listing each of the organizations as well as the brewing companies that nominated them…
December 5 – 11
San Diego Humane Society
Nominated by Five Suits Brewing
The San Diego Humane Society is an open-admission shelter creating a more humane world by inspiring compassion and advancing the welfare of animals and people. The organization has helped San Diego become the largest U.S. city to keep healthy and treatable shelter animals from being euthanized. With campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona and San Diego, SDHA provides animal services for 14 cities within the county, not only caring for 40,000 animals annually, but also sharing expertise gained through innovative programs with shelters nationwide so they can save more lives in their communities.
December 12 – 18
Anvil of Hope
Nominated by AleSmith Brewing
A 501(c)3 established by Miramar’s AleSmith Brewing in 2020, Anvil of Hope is deeply committed to strengthening the community. The organization’s vision is to break the cycle of poverty by providing resources and programs to at-risk youth and families to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to thrive and prosper regardless of gender, race, economic class or any other would-be factors. Anvil of Hope works to identify at-risk youth and, through its programs and direct assistance, attempts to alter their typical trajectory, steering them towards productive and fruitful lives and careers.
December 19 – 25
Beer for Boobs
Nominated by White Labs Brewing
Established in 2008 by employees of local yeast purveyor White Labs, Beer for Boobs conducts year-round fundraising activities focusing on the brewing industry and beer fans. These include sales of merchandise at brewery events and beer fests, including the Great American Beer Festival, as well as silent auctions, beer dinners, collaboratively brewed fundraising beers and corporate-sponsorship drives. The money raised pays for Beer for Boobs members’ registrations to participate in Susan G. Komen‘s 3-Day and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walking events.
December 26 – January 1
Paving Great Futures
Nominated by Chula Vista Brewery
Paving Great Futures’ goal is to increase the health and wealth in underserved communities in order for marginalized at-risk individuals to thrive socially, economically and politically. By addressing all of these areas, the organization’s comprehensive work experience programs transform misguided young people into productive and empowered community leaders capable of guiding relevant and lasting changes. Paving Great Futures’ focuses on six core competencies: entrepreneurship, job readiness, financial literacy, responsible life skills, community service and civic engagement.
Since founding this company, I have wanted to develop a holiday-season initiative utilizing the platform provided by San Diego Beer News to help boost the visibility of nonprofits while donating money to some quality organizations. San Diego Beer News is a very small company lacking the financial capabilities of larger media outlets, but I have set aside $1,000 that I will use to match funds donated to each of these fine charities.”
Brandon Hernández, Founder & Executive Editor, San Diego Beer News
Alone I can only make a small impact, but the hope is that San Diego Beer News readers, local breweries and members of the greater brewing industry will lend a hand by:
- Donating to the online fundraisers (every little bit helps)
- Sharing the link to the fundraisers on social media
- Getting involved with these terrific organizations in some capacity
I am thankful to our readers and the local brewing community for the support you’ve lent to San Diego Beer News. This initiative would not be possible without you, and I appreciate the opportunity to pay it forward. Thank you and happy holidays!
* San Diego Beer News will match donations for each fundraiser up to a maximum of $250