Poured with Purpose
Our story isn't particularly complicated. After more than 15 years working in hospitality, we know the grind of the long hours and fast pace that hospitality professionals deal with every day, and just how easy it can be to fall into unhealthy habits rampant across the industry.
In 2020, after dealing with family and personal setbacks of his own, our founder found himself in counselling for the first time, an opportunity provided only because benefits were available and paid for by an employer at the time. This is not the case for most hospitality workers, and an opportunity that many quite simply don't have the means to access.
We believe good brands can do good work. We don't have all of the answers ourself, but we are so proud to partner with some incredible organizations supporting the hospitality industry here in Canada on initiatives focused on mental health and addictions support.
Through these partnerships, we are proud to donate a portion of proceeds from every Bark and Bitter bottle sold, with the goal of extending access to these resources to more hospitality professionals every day.
National hospitality industry partners.
Bartenders employed across Canada
Goal: Pouring with Purpose.
Bartenders Benevolent Fund
Created in 2013, the Bartenders Benevolent Fund is a nationally registered non-profit and financial resource for hospitality professionals in Canada. We are a volunteer-based organization which provides support and resources to hospitality professionals across the country. We provide funding for those who have fallen under serious financial hardship, and programming to elevate our industry and those within it.
Learn more about the Bartenders Benevolent Fund here.
Not 9 to 5 Organization
Not 9 to 5 is a non-profit global leader in mental health advocacy for the foodservice sector. Through practical education and meaningful community-building, we are reimagining the industry by breaking stigmas and fuelling hope.
Not 9 to 5 was created and developed by the industry for the industry to shift the workplace culture and increase psychological safety in kitchens, bars, restaurants and beyond.
Learn more about Not 9 to 5 here.
Mind the Bar Foundation
Mind The Bar Foundation is a mental health resource, information, and support network for the hospitality industry that focuses primarily on the issues of anxiety, depression, suicide, substance abuse/misuse, and workplace harassment. As a 100% volunteer-based and industry-driven initiative, all proceeds generously donated to the Foundation are dedicated towards its goals of creating positive change within the industry and ending the stigma surrounding these topics by providing readily accessible information, guidance, and tools, highlighting quality zero and low-proof bar and beverage alternatives, hosting seminars, as well as offering venue-based educational programs and Morneau Shepell’s LifeWorks EAP to all its members.
Learn more about the Mind the Bar Foundation here.
