by TM Petaccia

For the fifth year, Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week will raise funds across the U.S. and Canada which will go to food and beverage workers hit hard by personal crises or natural disasters.

Over 150 bars and restaurants within a 30-mile radius of Charlotte, from Mooresville to Rock Hill, are currently participating through October 20 — with patrons also participating via their social media accounts. For every old fashioned sold at participating businesses, plus every posting with photo on social media tagged #oldfashionedweek #elijahcraig, Elijah Craig will donate $1 up to $100,000 to the Southern Smoke Foundation Emergency Relief Fund.

Due to the effects of Hurricane Helene, there is a particular emphasis on providing aid to workers in western North Carolina. “It’s a bit more personal this year,” says Siubhan Daly, Area Sales Manager, North Carolina for Heaven Hill Brands, which includes Elijah Craig. “I cover Asheville. I travel up there all the time. I personally know these people who are hurting. We’re working with Southern Smoke to keep the funds local.

“There’s never a good time for a hurricane,” she says, “but the timing this year, was particularly bad. The restaurant industry up there was suffering during the summer, like in Charlotte. They were hoping leaf season and the fall and winter travel season would help turn things around. Now that’s gone.”

Local participants include noted spots such as Dot Dot Dot, The Crunkleton, Rosemont, The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar, Elsewhere, Customshop, Fin & Fino, and others.

Founded in 2015, Southern Smoke is a nonprofit organization founded and managed by current and past food and beverage workers. Its mission is to create “a meaningful safety net of support that doesn’t exist for most people in our world.”

Since 2020, Elijah Craig has raised over $400,000 for nonprofits supporting food and beverage workers in desperate need. These can include natural disasters, accidents, victims of crime or violence, housing crises, emergency medical/dental issues, and drastic changes in personal circumstances. Applicants are eligible for funding every 12 months. To qualify, workers would have experienced the previously mentioned circumstances and be employed within the food and beverage industry, working at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of six months.

“There’s not a lot of red tape like some other organizations,” Daly says. “It’s very easy to navigate. You give them the information and they will provide dollars.” Affected industry workers can apply for assistance here.

Elijah Craig is part of the Heaven Hill Brands’ portfolio of over 30 spirits. It is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned spirits supplier whose other brands include Evan Williams bourbons, Deep Eddy vodka, Lunazul tequila, Black Velvet Canadian whisky, and Christian Brothers brandy.

“I never thought in a million years that this would land on our doorstep, be so close,” Daly says. “I personally know a lot of people who are going to benefit from this.”