Ypsilanti-based O&W Inc. celebrates Giving Tuesday with donations to four local nonprofits

November 26, 2025

Fifth-generation beer distributor strengthens community ties through charitable giving

YPSILANTI, Mich. – As Giving Tuesday approaches on Dec. 2, O&W Inc., a fifth-generation beer distributor in Ypsilanti, celebrates its annual tradition of giving back to its local communities.

 

Founded in 1933 and now led by the fifth generation of the Wanty family, O&W Inc. views giving back as a cornerstone of its business. Supporting local communities is central to its mission, and Giving Tuesday helps continue this long-standing tradition.

 

“As a family-owned business, our roots are in the communities where we live and work,” said Kit Wanty-Lambert, president of O&W Inc. “Giving back isn’t just part of what we do, it’s part of who we are. The relationships we have with our retail partners and neighbors remind us why it’s so important to stay connected and support the places we call home.”


O&W Inc. donates $50,000 to local causes annually, with $10,000 dedicated to Giving Tuesday. This year, the four Wanty family members who actively operate the day-to-day business each selected a nonprofit that holds personal significance:

 

Kit Wanty-Lambert: $2,500 to the Humane Society of Huron Valley

Jamie Wanty: $2,500 to Faith in Action – Dexter Chelsea

Isabel Wanty: $2,500 to Washtenaw Literacy

Cooper Wanty: $2,500 to the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation

 

“We’re hopeful these contributions help our local organizations continue their critical work, especially during the holiday season,” Wanty-Lambert said.

 

Independent, family-owned beer and wine distributors provide thousands of jobs statewide and support over 2,200 charities and community events annually, investing millions in local communities.

 

For more information about O&W Inc., the Wanty family and the portfolio of outstanding brands they proudly deliver to local retailers, please visit www.onwbeer.com.

Mid-Michigan beer distributor celebrates 65 years in business, three generations of family leadership

By Rebecca Stow • May 4, 2026
OWOSSO, Mich. – Main Beverage Company marks 65 years in business this year, celebrating three generations of family leadership and a legacy rooted in mid-Michigan.

Ypsilanti beer distributor partners on limited-edition release for Ann Arbor Summer Festival

By Rebecca Stow • April 14, 2026
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Local, family-owned beer distributor O&W Inc. in Ypsilanti is celebrating its collaboration with Michigan-based Griffin Claw Brewing Company to develop a limited-edition Session IPA for the upcoming Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF).

Detroit News: Rooted in Community, Driven to Lead: Women in Michigan’s Beer and Wine Distribution Industry

By Rebecca Stow • March 17, 2026
Across Michigan’s beer and wine distribution industry, women are helping shape the future of our businesses and the communities we serve. As president and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing in Grand Blanc Township and the third woman to chair the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association (MB&WWA) Board of Directors, I’m proud to be part of a growing group of women leading with purpose and perspective. This year is especially meaningful for our company as we celebrate 50 years in business. Reaching that milestone is a reminder that strong local businesses are built over time through dedication, adaptability and the people who make long-term success possible—including the growing number of women shaping the future of the industry. Our work as beer and wine distributors is about far more than logistics. It’s about building resilient businesses that support jobs, give back locally and help maintain a fair and competitive marketplace. From sales and operations to finance, marketing and delivery, women are making meaningful contributions at every level of our industry. Distributors are proud to be local businesses with deep roots. We live and work in the communities we serve, and we embrace opportunities to give back—whether supporting neighborhood events, partnering with charitable organizations or helping local retailers succeed. That spirit of service is integral to our businesses and something we strive to carry forward. Beer and wine distributors also play a critical role in Michigan’s three-tier system, moving products safely and efficiently from supplier to shelf. This system supports competition and gives consumers access to an extraordinary variety of high-quality choices, from Michigan-made craft beverages to well-known national brands. As we celebrate Women’s History Month in March, I’m honored to recognize the many women who help drive Michigan’s beer and wine distribution industry forward. The continued success of this industry reflects the collaboration and determination of the people behind it—and women are playing an essential role in shaping what comes next. Joanie O’Sullivan-Butler is president and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing Inc. in Grand Blanc Township. She is also chair of the MB&WWA Board of Directors and sits on the MB&WWA Women’s Advocacy Committee.