Anheuser-Busch’s Decades of Support for Latino Community to be Recognized at Los Angeles Gala

ST. LOUIS. To recognize Anheuser-Busch’s dedication to partnering with the Latino community in the United States, the company will be recognized this month with the Corporate Social Responsibility Award from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF).

The company’s partnerships with the Latino community span more than 100 years and include support for a variety of organizations.

The award will be given on Thursday, Nov. 12, at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel, when MALDEF hosts its 35th Annual Los Angeles Awards Gala to recognize civic leaders and corporate citizens for their extraordinary work with the Latino community.

Also being honored will be Actress Eva Longoria Parker, who will receive the Community Services Award; Anthony Solana Jr., who will receive the Excellence in Legal Service Award; and Dr. Rodolfo Acuña, who will be honored with the MALDEF Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Our Honorees this year continue the tradition of not only sacrifice for others but inspiring those around to do more for the community,” stated Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF President and General Counsel. “It is an honor to acknowledge these individuals as a demonstration that we do not stand alone in our mission. Anheuser-Busch has been a courageous and generous supporter of MALDEF over several decades, and Anheuser-Busch’s example of steadfast and principled support has aided organizations in the Latino community in incalculable ways.”

In choosing Anheuser-Busch for this award, MALDEF noted as one example its considerable support for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF). In the past three decades, the brewer has been the largest corporate contributor in fund-raising efforts for HSF, with the company and its 600 wholesalers nationwide contributing more than $24 million.

“Whether supporting programs to promote Latino education or economic and leadership development, our involvement in the Latino community is just one component of our strong corporate commitment to support causes that are good for society,” said Margarita E. Flores, senior director of Community Affairs at Anheuser-Busch.

Overall, and during the past two decades alone, grants and contributions from Anheuser-Busch to support the Latino community have totaled more than $58 million, Flores said. She added that more than 18,000 college students have benefited from scholarships awarded through the HSF.

In choosing Anheuser-Busch for the Corporate Social Responsibility award, MALDEF also cited A-B’s leadership in promoting responsible drinking and preventing underage drinking.

For nearly three decades, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers have invested more than $750 million in community-based programs to promote responsibility and fight alcohol abuse.

“We are proud that our efforts, along with those of many others, have helped reduce underage drinking and drunk driving, and we will continue to be a part of the solution to these issues,” Flores said.