University Sponsors Lend a Helping Hand
CSU corporate partners helping Northern Colorado navigate the pandemic
Luke Zahlmann
The events surrounding the past few months due to the coronavirus outbreak are wholly unprecedented in the United States. Then pandemic has shut down most of the nation with quarantines and stay-at-home orders in several states -- including Colorado – continuing to affect many.
All the while, several of Colorado State’s community partners have stepped forward in the fight.
New Belgium Brewing, McDonald’s and Safeway have all instituted programs aimed at aiding Northern Colorado citizens and businesses in fighting the side effects of a worldwide crisis. From free meals to donating alcohol for hand sanitizer, each has found their own niche to lessen the looming impact of an economic downturn and used their platforms for positive change.
“During this pandemic, we have been told to shelter in place, practice social distancing and ensure the safety of ourselves first and foremost,” general manager of Rams Sports Properties, Erik Antico said. “When it comes to our corporate partners, they have stepped up, showed humility, readiness and have made great changes to impact the Fort Collins community in a positive fashion. Colorado State is proud to be associated with these partners and how fast and responsive they have been in coming to the aid of the people that are most affected/fighting this virus. Fort Collins is a strong and tight-knit place and our partners are proud to hold the responsibility of representing the people that live here. Rams take care of Rams and our partners will always be at the forefront of that.”
New Belgium Brewing
Since day one, New Belgium has stood by our core company value, which is proving business can be a force for good. Luckily, that mentality remains in place. When we can help out our community, we do.Megan Olson, New Belgium Brewing
Many fans are familiar with the New Belgium Porch at Canvas Stadium that hosts a number of fans each gameday and even the days in between. What they may not know is the company has chosen to lift up breweries around them as well as part of their relief efforts – each of which stems from the company’s original core values.
Among their initiatives, New Belgium has created a relief fund for local bar and restaurant workers who’ve dealt with the financial ramifications of furloughs and layoffs. The fund started with a $50,000 donation from the company, as well as a matching effort for the next $50,000. Individuals who applied have been chosen to each receive $350 from the fund to aid during the pandemic.
"The team worked very hard to get the relief fund in place. We felt we could make the biggest impact on our local bar and restaurant community,” New Belgium public relations manager Megan Olson said. “They've supported New Belgium since the beginning – they've served our beer and helped build us in to who we are today."
On top of their donations to individual workers, New Belgium has also donated materials to Ratio Beerworks, a Denver brewery who was faced with the possibility of losing kegs to the shutdowns. Instead, they’ll be able to can the beer for future use.
With their own beer, New Belgium also chose to partner with Leopold Brothers Distillery to manufacture hand sanitizer for local first responders, food and service workers and hospitals – all free of charge.
"Since day one, New Belgium has stood by our core company value, which is proving business can be a force for good,” Olson said. “Luckily, that mentality remains in place. When we can help out our community, we do."
McDonald’s
As hard as they’re all working, and what they’re doing, we felt like, from a community standpoint, especially with McDonald’s all over the state, this would probably be the one thing we could all rally around. We wanted to thank them for all they’re doing to keep us all healthy and safe.Bob Luther, Local Franchise Owner
The constant call to duty for first responders, healthcare workers and military members are answering is immense. In their own way, McDonald’s has chosen to ensure their own health doesn’t suffer in the process.
Northern Colorado and Laramie, Wyo., franchises are giving workers a daily free meal through their drive-thru with a valid ID.
“As hard as they’re all working, and what they’re doing, we felt like, from a community standpoint, especially with McDonald’s all over the state, this would probably be the one thing we could all rally around,” local franchise owner Bob Luther said. “We wanted to thank them for all they’re doing to keep us all healthy and safe.”
In turn, the local communities have voiced their appreciation back to the company.
“We’ve gotten compliments from almost everybody who comes through,” Luther said. “Up in Laramie, we’ve gotten cards with signatures from the medical community up there. It’s been awesome.”
Safeway
We’re incredibly grateful to our store associates. Their tireless dedication during this really critical and challenging time – we know they’re working really hard. We want to do everything we can to protect our associates, as well as our customers.Kristine Staaf, Safeway Senior Director of Public Affairs/Government Relations
While it’s impossible to limit all exposure for all parties, Safeway has done its part in ensuring to lower the risk of the most impacted communities. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., they’ve put special hours in place for vulnerable shoppers.
Among those included, Safeway hopes to mitigate risk for senior citizens, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems, among others. Each of the groups is able to enter the freshly-cleaned store, free of many of the possible carriers of the virus that could be asymptomatic.
With the amount of hoarding that occurred nationwide at the virus’ onset, it also enables them to have all the supplies they need.
“We wanted to make sure we were giving our customers that might be elderly or at-risk an opportunity to get in the store when it might not be quite as hectic,” Safeway senior director of public affairs/government relations, Kristine Staaf said.
Along with their varied hours for compromised communities, Safeway has found a way to support their own employees as well with shortened hours of operation – allowing more time to both rest and prepare for each day. That preparation includes the store purchasing and supplying associates with masks, gloves and cleaning supplies.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our store associates,” Staaf said. “Their tireless dedication during this really critical and challenging time – we know they’re working really hard. We want to do everything we can to protect our associates, as well as our customers.”
Safeway’s division president, Todd Broderick, has also offered employment opportunities for several individuals who were laid off due to their virus’s effects, including local restaurant, bar and food workers. Individuals are able to work either part-time or full-time depending on their needs.