Like many businesses of late, Oak Creek Brewery and Grill found itself in the unenviable position of  having to lay off loyal employees. 

But the employees have not been forgotten about by ownership and management. In partnership with Joe Hefley and Katherine Keeber of U.S. Foods, the brewery in Tlaquepaque is supplying care packages to their employees that they were forced to lay off.

The brewery’s managing partners, Fred and Rita Kraus, who came up with the idea, are putting the packages together with other managers and staff, then making sure they are delivered to the various employees.  

The plan is to make this a weekly program.

“We know closing the dining room was in the best interest of our employees and customers,” Oak Creek Brewery and Grill General Manager Nathan Schreiber said. “We look forward to reopening in the near future. I miss the interaction and connections with our customers, especially our regulars and entire staff.”

The care packages are  a mix of paper products and food staples. The first care package included toilet paper, tissues, milk, juice, bread, vinyl gloves, corn tortillas, corn, eggs, rice, potatoes, apples and cereal.

Schreiber said the  Krauses are exploring various avenues in order to help their employees, especially those who may be experiencing severe hardships. Having to close their doors and let employees go was very difficult to do, Fred Kraus said. 

“We have always operated like one big family so now we are trying to help members of that family and theirs in any way possible,” he said. “We are a finely-tuned team dedicated to creating excellent food and brewing great, fresh, house-made beer. Serving our customers is what we all live for, daily. After almost 20 years of being in that mode it is gut wrenching to suddenly come to a complete stop.” 

The brewery is still offering takeout and delivery. For more information, oakcreekbreweryandgrill.com has the details.