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Local hospitality charity toasts big benefactor

by By PRESS STAFF
| October 13, 2021 1:00 AM

In celebration of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits' fifth anniversary, the largest U.S. spirits distributor donated $500,000 to national charities.

North Idaho CDAIDE received an unexpected but greatly appreciated $10,000 tip. 

CDAIDE supports emergency financial support for local restaurant and hospitality workers toward housing, utilities, transportation, and medical for families with children. 

Since March 2020, CDAIDE Executive Director Rebecca Smith said, the organization has seen an 800% increase in assistance requests from hospitality workers. She noted that many of those requests stem from the inability to pay rent due to lapses in employment from COVID-19 illness or the inability to afford car repairs or medical expenses.

A release from CDAIDE said the challenges are attributable to "dramatically increased housing costs that offset (hospitality workers) rising wages." 

"Given that CDAIDE could not hold our major auction fundraiser this year, which provides the majority of our operating budget, this donation couldn't have come at a better time," Smith said. "We are so grateful for the partnership of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits and Dean Opsal's steadfast support. From our inception, Dean has been a champion of CDAIDE and has such a heart for hospitality workers."

CDAIDE is one of 50 charities awarded $10,000 through the SGWS "5-50-500" Giving campaign. The charitable donation was provided to one charity in each U.S. state. 

"SGWS is proud to support CDAIDE as this is a fantastic organization that truly benefits the hardworking people in the hospitality industry," said Opsal, a SGWS Volun-Cheers ambassador.