Visitor Guide Spring/Summer 2021 | Page 36

MANY CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY SUFFERED IMMENSE ECONOMIC LOSSES DURING THE PANDEMIC , AND BALTIMORE IS NO EXCEPTION . BUT HERE IN CHARM CITY , LIGHT IS BEGINNING TO BREAK THROUGH THE DARKNESS . RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES HAVE COME TOGETHER TO HELP AREA NONPROFITS AND OUR HARDEST-HIT COMMUNITIES THROUGH THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES — EVEN AS SOME FACE CHALLENGES TO STAY AFLOAT THEMSELVES . LEARN WHAT THEY ’ RE DOING TO SERVE , AND HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE MISSION .

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery offers one-of-a-kind experimental brews , a massive beer garden and on-site food options .

GUINNESS GIVES BACK

Last year saw the nation shut down over the COVID-19 crisis , while America also grappled with the pain of racism and the need to address pressing social justice issues .
As headlines continued to bring to light injustice at the legislative , legal and even corporate levels , businesses across the country promised to support the Black Lives Matter movement , analyze their own diversity and equity policies , and take more meaningful steps to help communities of color .
The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore took that promise to heart . In June 2020 , the hometown brewery , which “ shares the spirit of exploration and discovery of its sister brewery in Dublin ,” announced it would roll out the Guinness Gives Back Baltimore Community Fund . And in December , it announced the full details of that fund — a $ 1 million commitment to support three key focus areas for the Baltimore region ’ s Black community : economic justice , community empowerment and equal representation .
“ Guinness has always been ‘ made of more ’ and , as the home of Guinness in America , genuine give-back efforts are in our DNA . The Baltimore region has warmly welcomed our team since opening the Guinness Gates just two years ago and we ’ re honored to support such worthy causes in the fight for equity ,” noted Jennifer Hudson , a director at Diageo Beer Company , of which the Guinness brand is a part .
In fact , the company ’ s hefty contributions are spread across multiple beneficiaries and will support the Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation ( funding an apprenticeship program ), Reginald F . Lewis Museum , Job Opportunities Task Force ( a nonprofit that works to eliminate educational and employment barriers for low-wage workers ), the Baltimore Action Legal Team ( which provides legal support to Baltimore communities ) and the Maryland Food Bank .
“ Simply put , the work of the Maryland Food Bank — including our response to COVID-19 — would be sidelined without the support of businesses like Guinness ,” noted Carmen Del Guercio , the Maryland Food Bank ’ s president and CEO , in a statement to Visit Baltimore . “ Our programs , campaigns and educational outreach have always relied on the philanthropic support of charitable corporations , individuals and foundations , but our neighbors at Guinness have gone above and beyond in supporting MFB since last March .”
With the food bank previously a community partner of the brand , Del Guercio also
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