The Dutch Bros Foundation has committed $1 million to providing relief to individuals and families in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In anticipation of increased unemployment and economic instability in the weeks and months ahead, the foundation has allocated funds to three distinct community causes: emergency safety nets, food security and service providers and first responders.
Half of the Dutch Bros Foundation’s commitment — $500,000 — is earmarked for the United Way’s Safety Net fund in each of the seven states in which Dutch Bros does business. Such systems focus on maintaining housing for the vulnerable, securing access to food, medical and dental services, and providing employment resources. The safety net dollars will reach recipients through various community foundation funds established to address COVID-19 impacts in their respective regions.
The Dutch Bros Foundation has allocated $400,000 to food security. A longtime focus of Dutch Bros, food security is expected to become a more acute need as the long-term fallout of the pandemic becomes clearer. The foundation will provide grants to food bank partners throughout the Dutch Bros footprint, with local franchisees and operators directing funds to ensure the critical needs of their immediate communities can be met.
Lastly, $100,000 from the Dutch Bros Foundation will find its way to first responders, hospitals and health care workers, and critical community service providers in the form of gift cards and product donations made by local stands. Dutch Bros recognizes the demands placed on these individuals and is offering a small token of thanks to help brighten the days of these dedicated professionals.
While the Dutch Bros Foundation is preparing to launch its grants, Dutch Bros continues to evaluate and refine the steps it’s taking to keep its valued broistas safe and supported. The company is paying broistas who choose to continue working an extra $3 per hour through April 24, 2020, and is providing paid sick leave.
Dutch Bros has also instituted a number of best practices to curtail social contact between broistas and customers, including:
- Closing walk-in lobbies and walk-up windows, with service available exclusively via drive-thrus.
- Reducing physical touchpoints by no longer accepting cash payments and having customers swipe their own credit, debit or gift card payments.
- Suspending the use of personal mugs at all drive-thrus.
- Enforcing increased hand washing and sanitizing of surfaces at all Dutch Bros locations.
Dutch Bros is continuing to monitor the progression of COVID-19 and the latest guidance from state, federal and world health authorities. While changes to operations at drive-thrus may impact wait times for service, all measures are being instituted to keep both employees and customers safe in uncertain times while continuing to keep the Dutch Luv flowing.
