THUNDER BAY – The success of Thunder Bay’s Novemburger campaign is starting to spread across the country.
Last year’s fifth anniversary campaign saw 27 restaurants in the city participate, creating their own unique burgers that saw a portion of sales donated to the local United Way. More than 22,000 burgers were sold, raising more than $64,000.
Novemburger creator Erika Mikkola said after that success, the local chapter reached out to United Way Canada and made a presentation to all interested United Way branches.
Now nine other branches across the country will also hold Novemburger campaigns next month with Mikkola providing coaching and other supports.
“It’s exciting to see the campaign grow,” she said. “It’s really something special to see other United Ways come on board.”
Together, the 10 participating communities will see 140 restaurants join the campaign.
Most details of this year’s sixth annual Novemburger are still under wraps until Nov. 1. However, about 200 people got a sneak peek at some of this year’s feature burgers at a tasting hosted by Sleeping Giant Brewing Company on Tuesday evening.
Each person who attended was able to sample five Novemburger mini sliders and try a new creation from the brewery – the Novembrewger, a non-alcoholic root beer.
The new brew will be available next month at several Novemburger restaurants and local grocery stores. 25 cents from every can sold will go back to the campaign.
Mikkola hinted that this year’s Novemburger will be “bigger, bolder and juicier” than ever and another 10 local restaurants are hopping on board.
“It means a lot to have so many people in our community support a campaign like this,” said Mikkola, adding it not only supports the United Way but the local restaurant industry.
The money raised helps fund food security programs in the community.
