Bars and restaurants everywhere have had to close their doors amid the COVID-19 crisis, resulting in the layoffs of countless employees.

Heart of America Beverage Company is stepping up to help by donating $25,000 to a relief fund for these workers.

Heart of America Beverage is a family owned beverage wholesaler that has been operating in Southwest Missouri for over 40 years.

The company distributes a wide selection of products including beer, malt beverages, hard seltzers, spirits, and non-alcoholics beverages.

The goal of the On Premise Worker Relief Fund is to provide financial assistance to bar and restaurant employees in Southwest Missouri who have temporarily lost their income due to the coronavirus outbreak.

These employees are amongst those hardest hit by the pandemic.

“The people of Southwest Missouri are resilient, and we look forward to having a beer with our friends again when folks are able to re-open their doors. In the meantime, we are honored to be able to provide this assistance, and hope to ease temporary financial burdens for as many people as possible.” said Harwood Ferguson, President of Heart of America Beverage.

Employees of any bar or restaurant that is a customer of Heart of America Beverage, who have lost their jobs or have significantly decreased working hours due to the COVID-19 outbreak, are eligible to apply for financial assistance from this fund.

Workers will be eligible for individual grants of up to $250 each.

The funds can be applied toward rent/mortgage, utility bills, or grocery gift certificates at Walmart, Price Cutter, HyVee, or Harter House.

The fund will be administered by the Drew Lewis Foundation.

Interested applicants may apply at https://drewlewis.net/dlf-covid-relief/ .