Nationwide Hotline Will Help More People in Need Thanks to Support from Budweiser
Budweiser Gives Generous Donation to The Salvation Army to Provide Essential Support for those Struggling in this Pandemic
Rising levels of anxiety, uncertainty and fear resulting from the coronavirus crisis are increasing the need for, and number of calls to, The Salvation Army’s new Emotional & Spiritual Care Hotline. Since April 10, nearly 150 trained emotional-and-spiritual-care specialists have answered calls from people across the nation looking for support. In order to fulfill growing need for this service, Budweiser is stepping up to help meet that demand.
“This is a crisis unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. The feelings of loneliness and fear we’re hearing through our hotline are understandable, and we want people to know there’s someone here to listen,” said David Hudson, National Commander of The Salvation Army. “We anticipate a rise in service requests the longer this pandemic goes on, and we’re grateful to have a partner like Budweiser come alongside us to help meet these needs.”
The unprecedented social isolation that has come from this pandemic is something Budweiser is shedding a light on with its new PSA campaign that utilizes its iconic “whassup” commercial as a reminder for Americans to check-in with their loved ones. As part of this campaign, Budweiser approached The Salvation Army to make a generous donation to support those in need as a result of COVID-19. With the generosity and awareness from Budweiser, The Salvation Army will be able to aid even more people looking for help.
“Not everyone has someone to check in on them during this time of great uncertainty,” said Monica Rustgi, Vice President, Marketing for Budweiser. “Our ‘Whassup’ PSA reminds us the power of connecting with one another, now more than ever, and Budweiser is proud to empower the Salvation Army and its efforts to be the friendly listener on the other line.”
If you’re looking for local services, spiritual guidance, or if you just need someone to talk with, the Emotional & Spiritual Care Hotline is available by calling 1-844-458-HOPE (4673). The hotline is open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST. Specialists speak English and Spanish, and callers are encouraged to leave a message if they call after hours.
To join the fight for good, find local resources, and support your local Salvation Army and community, visit salvationarmyusa.org/COVID19.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter: @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood
About Budweiser
Budweiser, an American-style lager, was introduced in 1876 when company founder Adolphus Busch set out to create the United States' first truly national beer brand – brewed to be universally popular and transcend regional tastes. Each batch of Budweiser stays true to the same family recipe used by five generations of Busch family brewmasters. Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp and pure beer with blended layers of premium American and European hop aromas, brewed for the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment. Budweiser is made using time-honored methods including "kraeusening" for natural carbonation and Beechwood aging, which results in unparalleled balance and character.