Resources can be anything from the emotional support of a socially-distanced virtual hug to funding from government programs. Information is another important resource, and we have a lot of it for you this week.
One challenge during this time is finding correct information in a timely manner — not to mention finding state-specific information, correct paperwork, and beyond. Earlier this month we discussed resources on our #radcraftindustryrelief zoom chat, and the craft communicators who participated had a lot to say. Here are the resources they suggested for small businesses in the barley community, infused with a few of our suggestions as well.
Brewers Association - Resource Center is the home to brewery-specific COVID-19 information, including general pandemic information, SBA loans, legislative information, surveys, and so much more.
Surveys — Surveys produce data that allow us to forecast trends. We highly encourage participating in Brewers Association and brewer’s guilds surveys, and beyond.
Your (local) Guilds — the folks on our call referenced these specific, and awesome, brewers guilds as great resources. Wherever you are though, seek out your local guild as a resource now and in future.
Social Media
Facebook Groups — specifically have been a great place to host forums, discussions, ask questions and post links to various resources. There are plenty of local and national groups that do act as a more professional resource, in a sense, and they’re easy to find.
More screen time means more opportunities to promote products and entertain your audience.
The Brooklyn Brewery COVID-19 Community Resource Hub shares not only New York specific information, but also nation-wide resources for breweries. They’ve included assistance programs like these:
USBG Foundation Bartender Emergency Assistance Program: Bartenders affected by closures can apply for a grant from the United States Bartenders Guild Bartender Emergency Assistance Program, and anyone can donate.
Service Workers Coalition: This new coalition aims to support sick or quarantined service workers through direct aid and monetary donations. Email serviceworkerscoalition@gmail.com to volunteer or learn how to donate.
Restaurant Workers Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund: The RWCF is allocating their donations accordingly: 50% to individual restaurant workers, 25% non-profit groups, and 25% towards providing no-interest loans to restaurants to get back up and running.
GoFundMe: Many businesses are setting up GoFundMe pages, and the like, to raise money for their former or current employees. Contact your regular spots and see if they have a fund set up, or need help doing so.
LEE Initiative Restaurant Workers Relief Program: The LEE Initiative will channel donations by city to help restaurant workers in crisis pay for food and keep up with other costs of living.
Craft Label Co. — as many breweries shift to canning and distribution, there’s high demand for labels right now, at the ready. Craft Label Co., created by our friend Ryan Wheaton, offers a solution of pre-designed offerings that can be customized to become branded to your company.
Reddit — This forum-based website is a treasure chest of information. You may have to do some digging, but you’ll be able to find information such as which businesses are still open, how can you support them, and much more. There are many sub-Reddits that discuss what’s happening in various regions.
Here’s one for supporting local breweries in the PNW
Here’s one that’s anything and everything Colorado beer
Restaurant Accounting Services - Restaurant Resources — This website hosts various restaurant and brewpub specific resources, including webinars, blogs, and FAQ pages that may come up in the hospitality industry.
All Together — All Together is an initiative launched by New York’s Other Half Brewing, similar to that of Sierra Nevada’s Resilience campaign. All Together is a worldwide collaboration created to raise awareness and funds for the craft industry. “#AllTogetherBeer invites any brewer, from any corner of the planet, to participate by providing the tools needed to make the beer at the lowest possible cost, including an open-source recipe, artwork, and name. In exchange, the collective asks that a portion of the proceeds go to supporting hospitality professionals in each brewery’s own community. The rest should be donated to keeping the brewery in business to weather this storm.” Read more on Brewbound.
Restaurant Strong Fund — Samuel Adams and Greg Hill Foundation joined forces to create the Restaurant Strong Fund, supporting those in 20 different states from America’s restaurant industry who have been impacted by the COVID-19 closures.
There are so many more resources out there than those that we’ve named — take advantage of them and let us know if you have any other suggestions at karen@radcraftbeer.com.