United Way East Ontario’s first annual Novemburger may be over, but its positive impact lives on!
We enlisted 16 restaurants from across Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark County and Renfrew County to create new burgers and feature them on their menus. Two dollars from every one of those burgers sold in November helps United Way tackle the toughest local issues.
Above and beyond selling delicious burgers, the community got involved in unique ways. Our ambassador team spread the word about Novemburger online, Katie Hession held a charity spin class at Ottawa’s Where I Thrive with proceeds going to Novemburger, and Dominion City Brewing Company held a Grey Cup Party where they collaborated with The King Eddy for a single-day Novemburger pop-up.
It’s been quite a journey, and we’re proud to announce that through Novemburger, local businesses sold 3,516 Novemburgers and raised $15,000 for United Way!
“It was amazing to see members of our community come together, so enthusiastically, to support their favourite local businesses through Novemburger because they knew they’d be making a difference for vulnerable people at the same time.”
It’s integral to our region’s well-being to have local business leaders championing safe, healthy and prosperous communities for all, and the buzz inside the participating restaurants in November was palpable.
“Inflation is at an all-time high, and people are struggling to make ends meet,” says Jamie Law, Owner of Law & Orders. “I can’t just stand by and watch. Novemburger offered us a creative way to make a difference.”
“When this opportunity arose, [we knew] it was something that could not only get our name out there, but it was also a chance for us to give back in maybe a different capacity than what we’re used to,” adds Matt Atton, Owner of Bamm’s Snack Shack.
He says Novemburger has been a great way to encourage folks to buy local.
“The chain reaction of buying local, it just perpetually gives back and to see that growth [in our community because people care] is pretty incredible.”
“At the end of the day, it’s about being good humans, looking out for your neighbours, and giving back. That shouldn’t even be a question. I love what United Way does, and it’s fantastic to be part of it. We’re all on the same team, and by working together, we can achieve things that help everyone in the long run.”
We know that the toughest local problems are deeply intertwined: poverty and homelessness, mental health and addictions, social isolation and exclusion – you can’t fix one of these problems without considering the others.
Novemburger has shown how United Way brings together caring communities to address all facets of these challenges, so we can empower people to overcome them in meaningful and sustainable ways.
This year’s Novemburger award winners are:
People’s Choice Award (top three):
Top Novemburger of the Year (as voted by our ambassadors): Bamm’s Snack Shack
Most Novemburgers Sold: Law & Orders
Honourable mentions to Crust & Crate and The Sterling for placing second and third, respectively, in burgers sold.
We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to all our participating restaurants:
- Art-Is-In Bakery
- Bamm’s Snack Shack
- The Barley Mow Stittsville
- Blackburn Arms Pub
- Coconut Lagoon
- Crust & Crate
- Edinburger
- Elie’s The Original Lorenzo’s Pizza
- Gitanes Burger (GBurger)
- Happy Days Burgers & Poutine
- Law & Orders
- Lowertown Brewery
- Occo Kitchen
- St-Albert Cheese Restaurant
- The Sterling
- Taproom 260
We also want to thank our ambassadors and anyone who took the time to eat a Novemburger this year! We’ve received such incredible community-wide feedback about Novemburger that we know it’s just going to get bigger and better in the years to come.
We hope you’ll continue to follow our work and join us in creating stronger, safer, and healthier communities for everyone.
