Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky and Pernod Ricard USA Partner to Battle Hunger across Kentucky
Kentucky Harvest Effort Praised by Governor Steve Beshear and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson
Statewide Campaign Funds 360,000 Meals
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky, a division of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (Southern)—the largest distributor of wine and spirits America with a presence in 29 states—has recently partnered with Pernod Ricard USA—a leading supplier of spirits and fine wine in the United States—in support of a statewide charity, Kentucky Harvest, to bolster the fight against hunger across the state.
The anti-hunger campaign—entitled “In An ‘Absolut’ World, No One Goes Hungry”—was a collaboration of Pernod Ricard, Southern and Kentucky Harvest, a non-profit group offering nutritional assistance to needy Kentucky families. Southern and Pernod Ricard raised funds for Kentucky Harvest’s programs by donating a percentage of the sale of each bottle of Absolut Vodka purchased in retail stores and restaurants throughout the Commonwealth. One unique feature of Kentucky Harvest’s program is its self-supporting philosophy where funds raised in a particular community are channeled back—in the form of nutrition support—to that same community.
Commending both Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky and Pernod Ricard USA for their joint efforts and contributions to the fight against hunger, Governor Beshear said, “Truly, there is no greater gift than giving back and no better feeling than knowing you have helped your community.” During his remarks, Governor Beshear also mentioned that November 15 to 21 was “Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week” in Kentucky. “Pernod Ricard and Southern Wine & Spirits support demonstrates that help can come at any level—a corporation, small business, family or individual.”
Stan Curtis, Founder of Kentucky Harvest and USA Harvest, said: “This precedent-setting partnership proves that when people with compassion and caring team up, many, many people can benefit. The efforts of Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky leadership and its sales force along with the tremendous support of Pernod Ricard USA has benefitted tens of thousands of the less fortunate in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This is a fine example of doing something big for something good.”
Marty Crane, General Manager - East Division, Pernod Ricard USA, expressed, "We saw a need in the Kentucky community and the opportunity to team with Stan Curtis and Kentucky Harvest along with Southern Wine & Spirits in order to make a difference. Joining efforts against this cause made perfect sense to our team considering the history of the ABSOLUT brand and its current campaign which is all about making the world a better place for everyone. Elimination of hunger on a local, national or global level Absolutly would make the world a better place. We are all proud of the outcome of the Kentucky program and the Eastern Division is currently exploring ways we can expand this program to more areas throughout the country."
Will Conniff, Executive Vice President - General Manager, Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois & Kentucky, said, “Southern Wine & Spirits has a long tradition of social responsibility in the communities that we are privileged to serve. Our partnership with Pernod Ricard USA and Kentucky Harvest is emblematic of our corporate values, our relationship with the state’s hospitality industry and our support of all the people of Kentucky.”
Mr. Conniff added, “We are extremely excited that our parent, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, working in close cooperation with Pernod Ricard USA, plans to replicate this “In An ‘Absolut’ World, No One Goes Hungry” anti-hunger campaign in other states around the nation.”
About Kentucky Harvest:
Founded in 1987, Kentucky Harvest was created as a method of combating hunger at the source through the collection and distribution of food to those facing difficult times throughout the Commonwealth. For more information about how to donate food or volunteer, visit: http://www.kyharvest.com.
About Southern Wine & Spirits of America:
Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation’s largest wine and spirit distributor, with current operations in 29 states. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia—as well as the additional seven states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah through the Southern-Odom/Spirits West partnership. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 10,000 team members. For more information contact: www.southernwine.com.
About Pernod Ricard USA:
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA. In July, 2008, Pernod Ricard completed the acquisition of the iconic ABSOLUT® Vodka brand from the V&S Group, and Pernod Ricard USA is now the second-leading company in the U.S. by sales value.
In addition to ABSOLUT®, Pernod Ricard USA’s leading brands include such prestigious spirits as The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Wild Turkey® Bourbon, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin®, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Martell® Cognac, Malibu® flavored Rum, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod® and Ricard®; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.
The company is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 1,000 employees across the country. For more information, visit: http://www.pernod-ricard-usa.com/.