Durham, NC – Tryon Distributing recently presented a check to the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) for $31,658 at the association’s annual meeting. The money directly supported their NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund, which provides financial assistance to North Carolina’s hospitality employees and students. The money was raised via the fourth annual Tryon Charity Golf Classic that took place in October of 2024, just one week after hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina (WNC). While the check presentation just happened, the funds were able to be released immediately following the tournament, which helped support WNC restaurant and hospitality workers facing hardships instantly after the disaster.

“At Tryon, one of our core values is community engagement. Our charity golf tournament is a way to embrace that core value, and we were thrilled to be able to partner with an organization as fantastic as the NCRLA’s Worker’s Relief Fund for a second year. This year’s tournament came at a very significant time, as we were able to work with the NCRLA to quickly get these funds out to the hospitality workers of WNC immediately following the hurricane. Hospitality workers aren’t just our customers, they are our friends and colleagues, and truly the backbone of our entire industry. I’m grateful that we were able to donate 100% of our proceeds to help them make a positive impact for struggling hospitality employees. I am also extremely proud of everyone at Tryon and all our partners who stepped up to help make this charity golf tournament happen,” said Ed Johnston, President of Tryon.

In the wake of hurricane Helene, the Fund was able to award $740,000 to over 1,800 hospitality workers affected by the hurricane in WNC. Over its lifetime, the Fund has given over $1.9 million to roughly 4,600 grant recipients across the state.

In order to support the workers in the industry, the NCRLA created the NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund to administer relief for extraordinary hardship and adversity including but not limited to: Lack of access to housing institutions or structures, major health conditions, cost of extraordinary health care, and general decline in the standard of living due to unemployment, underemployment, or other lack of economic opportunities.

The NCRLA is the uniting force of the North Carolina hospitality industry. They impact legislation and policies, cultivate relationships, and provide valuable resources to help members run their hospitality businesses. Their mission is to serve their members by advancing and protecting North Carolina’s hospitality industry by building industry influence, image, and engagement.

Tryon Distributing is a Charlotte-based craft beer and wine distribution company that was founded 40 years ago with three people and has grown into a statewide distributor with almost 300 employees. We are proud to be an independent wholesaler that is family-owned and operated.