Hood River's Double Mountain Brewery seeks help to expand their Foundation beyond laid-off DM staff.
image courtesy Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery
As one of the first hit regions, during this COVID-19 pandemic, the Pacific Northwest has shown leadership by enacting policies which limit the spread of this virus.
However, as businesses have complied with stay at home orders, their reliance on beer has diminished. The result is more takeout beer in size, ranging from a pint to a half-gallon. This has led many breweries, many with taprooms, to reduce staff and production, as they adapt to a reality where social gatherings are held online, complemented with a pint in whatever glassware is in the house.
For businesses like Double Mountain Brewing Company, the hardship is greater than having to operate both a destination brewery and taproom in Hood River, and a public house in Portland’s Woodstock neighborhood. This, however, hasn’t stopped a group of investors from Double Mountain in giving back to the community. Which is why they have formed a non-profit foundation, to support those who were the bedrock at Double Mountain during the pleasurable times.
Benefitting laid off staff, the Double Mountain Foundation provides relief to current and former staff at the brewery’s two locations. Those who have enjoyed relief in the form of shelter, food, and health care funding. Besides support, the Foundation is looking to expand their funding beyond previous Double Mountain staff by seeking funds to support the food and beverage industry in Hood River.One example of support the Double Mountain Foundation has received, came from the United Way of the Columbia Gorge.
image courtesy Double Mountain Brewery
Through a generous donation from the United Way, in the form of a $7500 grant, the Foundation could purchase grocery gift cards used at Hood River-operated grocery stores and the Gorge Grown farmers market.
In speaking with a Board Member on the Double Mountain Foundation, Matt Swihart had this to say.
All funds raised will be distributed as direct support to eligible applicants in some of the following ways; Gift cards for groceries/gas/home supplies, rent, utilities, health insurance, medical supplies, car payments, transportation costs, and child care. There is room in the criteria to help in other ways on a case-by-case basis in acute instances of crisis. All grants will be paid directly to vendors or through gift cards.
As I’ve been reaching out to many restaurant owners, I hear a very similar story of hard working staff that have been laid off, but through the complexity of the overwhelmed unemployment system, still have received no assistance. It is heartbreaking. These families are struggling every day to make ends meet and put food on the table...
If you are interested in supporting the Double Mountain Foundation, you can by visiting www.doublemountainbrewery.com/double- mountain-foundation/ or mail your support to P.O. Box 1660, Hood River, OR 97031. Note, the IRS has not certified the Double Mountain Foundation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Therefore, donations are not tax-deductible until status has been confirmed.
About the Double Mountain Foundation
The Double Mountain Foundation was organized during the pandemic COVID-19 outbreak after the closure of our restaurants and a dramatic downturn of our brewery business. Our mission is to provide financial assistance for current and former Double Mountain employees facing severe impacts on their personal lives during this crisis and provide a platform to assist our staff in the future for other traumatic events. We are a community service organization that can assist our local community with charitable projects that benefit the lives of our citizens to make our towns a thriving place to live.
