Funky Buddha Gives Back to the Service Industry

Outside of the Funky Buddha taproom in Oakland Park.

The regional brewery is donating a portion of sales to service industry workers affected by COVID-19.

Funky Buddha launched a charitable project called “Beers for the Biz” to provide financial relief to service industry workers struggling due to coronavirus.

The brewery has already given $20,000 to Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) – a nonprofit that gives financial support to restaurant workers and their family members – and will donate an additional dollar from every case of beer sold through the end of April.

“We shut down our taproom pretty quickly and saw all the other restaurants and bars close or asked to do takeout and delivery,” John Linn, Funky Buddha spokesman told Broward Beer. “We started thinking about what we can do to help.”

John Linn, director of marketing at Funky Buddha.

In 2017, Funky Buddha was purchased by Constellation Brands, a Fortune 500 alcohol distributor.

According to Linn, the merger made it possible for the brewery to pay its 107 employees to stay home during the shutdown, and is all the more reason to help others in need.

Funky Buddha’s history with philanthropy

Back in 2018, the Florida Keys were devastated by Hurricane Irma. Tourism came to a grinding halt putting service industry employees out of work.

Funky Buddha brewed and sold “Florida Rebuilds,” a blonde ale with key limes, and donated its $60,000 profits to CORE.

“We feel a strong moral obligation to do what we can,” Linn said. “Our aim is to give folks a chance to apply for aid through the program and raise awareness that they can get it.”

For more information, to apply for aid, or to donate to the cause, visit Beers for the Biz on Funky Buddha’s website.

About Joe Pye

My name is Joe Pye. I believe in local beer and local journalism.