Burnt Church Distillery in Bluffton recently announced a series of charitable partners for 2022.

Owner Watterson Brands said the distillery “has committed to serving the community through monthly giveback opportunities” since it opened in March.

Local charitable organizations applied last year to join the partnership through grant applications, a news release said. Applications were reviewed by representatives of the distillery and the Watterson Family Foundation.

“It is essential that we create an ongoing cycle of giving and support to non-profit organizations in our area that assist the transformation and positive trajectory of those who are in greatest need,” said Chris Crowe, the distillery’s general manager. “It’s been our mission from day one to continually do the best for our community. Every small act of generosity adds up in a big way.”

This year’s monthly charitable partners are Meals on Wheels (January), Real Champions (February), SOAR Special Olympics (March), Hopeful Horizons (April), YoungLife (May), Lowcountry Legacy Fund (June), Vantage Point (July), Bluffton Self Help (August), Pockets Full of Sunshine (September), Empower (October), Humane Society (November) and Family Promise (December)

The distillery said a full schedule of events that will benefit the organizations can be found at https://burntchurchdistillery.com/events. Grant applications for 2023 will open Aug. 31, the release said.

Watterson Brands said it also has “distributed $186,550 back to restaurants to reimburse them for serving 14,924 free meals to those affected by the pandemic in 2020; sponsored a successful barrel tree raffle that raised over $400 for veteran’s services in November 2021; and organized a food drive that gifted hundreds of much-needed food items.

“Also in December 2021, Burnt Church Distillery, in partnership with The Old Town Bluffton Inn and The Bluffton Room, auctioned a Lowcountry weekend experience to aid the Western Kentucky tornado victims, raising $3,800 for the Kentucky Bourbon Benefit.”

Burnt Church Distillery said each month it gives customers an opportunity to “round up” their purchases benefit the Lowcountry Legacy Fund, “a foundation created to support programs that build infrastructure, expand economic opportunities, and achieve economic equality in the Lowcountry.

“Additionally, the Burnt Church Distillery contributes 50-cents to the Fund for every transaction made at the Distillery. The Lowcountry Legacy Fund is open to any business, individual, or entity that wishes to contribute financially.”

Credit: Original article published here.