The MD-DE-DC Beverage Association will donate money that would have gone to their 2021 legislative reception to county food banks in all 23 counties and Baltimore City.
With the virtual 2021 General Assembly Session off and running, legislators and advocates connected to Annapolis are fielding a new normal and diving into an all-virtual system of policy-making. In-person advocacy is not an option due to the pandemic, so many organizations had to cancel or rethink their traditional receptions and in-person informational opportunities.
One organization leading the way on that front is the MD-DE-DC Beverage Association, the trade organization for the local soft drink bottlers and distributors, and a MACo Corporate Partner of many years. They announced today that the money earmarked for their in-person legislative reception will instead be donated to local food banks.
“Since we cannot meet in person due to the coronavirus pandemic, we are donating the money we would have spent on the reception to support food pantries in all 23 counties across the state and Baltimore City,” said Ellen Valentino, Executive Vice President, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Beverage Association. “We know many Maryland families are struggling and we hope this gesture will help put food on the table during these challenging times.”
“We look forward to better times, to a productive 2021 and to the day when we all can be together again,” Valentino added.
The members of the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Beverage Association produce some of the most recognized products in the world and are dedicated to supporting and improving their local communities. More than 3,820 jobs are tied to the beverage industry in the state.
For more information about the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Beverage Association:
