The name "Anheuser-Busch" is familiar to anyone like me who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. And not just for beer.

As a child in grade school, we got to visit "Grant’s farm" and see how people lived 150 years ago or so. Later, when my family moved to the county, I often drove past the farm on my way to work after school. It was not unusual to see the Anheuser-Busch trademark horses, the Clydesdales, grazing there. The Busch family also owned the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team, so the company logo was visible over the scoreboard in left field at the old Sportsman’s Park. I was in the ballpark one day when the Giants visited and Willie Mays bounced a home run off the big "A" in left-center field.

After Hurricane Katrina, I got to know another Anheuser-Busch "product." When the water system isn’t functioning after a natural disaster, one of your biggest needs is for clean drinking water – something most Americans normally take for granted. We were dependent on bottled water for about two weeks after the hurricane. Imagine my surprise one day when a neighbor from our local neighborhood community association showed up in a small transport vehicle and delivered ice and drinking water, donated by Anheuser-Busch. Each of the cans displayed the text "Donated by Anheuser-Busch." Up to now my idea of a six-pack from Anheuser-Busch was something else, but that water sure came in handy. Here’s a compliment to Anheuser-Busch for its public service and community spirit – August IV, this bud’s for you! 🙂

Comment from Jose Luis Valdez:

"Interesting article how Anheuser-Busch donated water for the Katrina disaster, it has not been the first time the company does this. In the 9/11 disaster the company donated water for the fire and rescue departments of the city. I have a 6 pack dated 9/13 when it was donated to the rescue crews."