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SAMUEL ADAMS’ RESTAURANT STRONG FUND EXPANDS TO 20 TOTAL STATES, FUNDING OVER $2 MILLION IN SUPPORT FOR RESTAURANT WORKERS

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF MASSACHUSETTS PILOT, SAMUEL ADAMS AND THE GREG HILL FOUNDATION ARE BRINGING THE RESTAURANT STRONG FUND TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO RESTAURANT WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IMPACTED BY COVID-19 CLOSURES

Jim Koch

Founder & Brewer, The Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

There are more than 1 million restaurants in the U.S. that employ over 15 million Americans nationwide. These restaurant workers are especially vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19 closures. During these unprecedented times when many establishments are forced to close their doors for the greater good of our community, Samuel Adams and The Greg Hill Foundation have recognized those who will take the biggest hit and are offering support.

Initially unveiled in Massachusetts on March 18th on the heels of mandated Covid-19 closures in Boston, the original Restaurant Strong Fund raised over $500,000 from 2,000 individual donors in its first two weeks, with support from athletes David Ortiz, Jimmy Develin and chefs Ming Tsai, Chris Coombs and Ken Oringer. These funds have already been distributed to Massachusetts restaurant workers in the form of $1,000 grant checks thanks to The Greg Hill Foundation’s mission to provide immediate assistance. Following the amazing response in Massachusetts, Samuel Adams and The Greg Hill Foundation quickly realized the need was widespread and the desire to support was even stronger, so Sam Adams doubled down on its commitment by bringing the Fund to 19 new states. Sam Adams is kickstarting fundraising with $100,000 in each state.

On April 21, Founder of The Boston Beer Company and Samuel Adams brewer Jim Koch is available live to share details on the expansion of Restaurant Strong and their mission to support restaurant industry workers. He can also share how restaurant workers can apply for assistance and how listeners can join them in supporting the restaurant community.

For more information please visit: www.restaurantstrong.org

MORE ABOUT JIM KOCH:

Jim Koch is the founder of The Boston Beer Company and the brewer of Samuel Adams beers. He founded the company in 1984 using his great-grandfather’s recipe and revolutionizes the American beer industry. 

Drawing upon his own struggles to start a business, Jim launched the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program in 2008. With a focus on helping low-to-moderate income businesses involved in food, beverage, hospitality, and craft brewing, the program provides micro-financing for small business owners as well as nationwide speed coaching events that pair small business owners with professionals who provide real-world advice based on their area of expertise.  To date, Brewing the American Dream has mentored 3,000+ small business owners, provided $2.5 million of micro-financing to more than 285 food, beverage, hospitality and craft brewing businesses while also creating/retaining more than 1,800 jobs.  The program has received recognition by the Clinton Global Initiative and the White House Summit on the Future of Corporate Service.

Jim currently serves as Chairman and was the company’s Chief Executive Officer until January 2001.  Prior to starting The Boston Beer Company he worked as a manufacturing consultant for The Boston Consulting Group and taught adventure skills for Outward Bound. Jim received an undergraduate and advanced degree in Business and Law from Harvard University.