NEWS RELEASE
UNITED WAY GUELPH
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United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin’s first annual NovemBurger raised the bar for future fundraising campaigns in the most delicious way.
“We’re thrilled to report that over the month of November, 2,765 burgers were sold in support of NovemBurger. With $2 from each burger sold being donated to United Way and additional sponsorship and donations, over $20,000 has been raised to support local food security programs across Guelph, Wellington & Dufferin,” said Glenna Banda, executive director, United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin.
The inaugural NovemBurger campaign, presented by Elinesky Schuett Private Wealth of RBC Dominion Securities, saw 14 restaurants across Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin participate, each devising a unique burger creation to sell throughout the month. At the wrap-up event today, United Way presented special awards to the top performing restaurants, rewarding their creativity, tastiness, and overall popularity.
The most coveted award, Top NovemBurger of the Year, is voted on by the NovemBurger Ambassadors, who spent the month visiting and tasting all of the burger creations. Ambassadors ranked their presentation, taste, originality and overall execution. After all scores were tallied, Bar Mason’s “Kicked-Up Mason Burger” took the top spot. Bar Mason is located inside of the Delta Guelph hotel; the burger featured a Chuck and brisket blend, Whisky BBQ sauce, Aioli, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, smashed Avocado and fried onions.
The title of Most NovemBurgers Sold was awarded to Miijidaa Café & Bistro, who sold a total of 623 burgers (The Wild North Boar Burger).
Finally, throughout the month, fans were able to vote for their favourite NovemBurger, with the top three receiving the People’s Choice award. People’s Choice NovemBurger was awarded to:
- 1st Place: Tap House Craft Beer (Orangeville) – Dirty Deedsy Burger
- 2nd Place: Déjà vu Diner (Orangeville) – Grilled Cheese Cowboy Burger
- 3rd Place: The Wooly (Guelph) – The Eleventh Month
Both Tap House & Déjà vu Diner had a friendly competition on social media throughout the month, challenging the other to a true burger battle and it seems their customers came through to declare a winner!
“During a dreary couple of months in the restaurant industry, NovemBurger certainly helped bring some fun and provide us with a wonderful way to honour our late friend, Herbert James, who passed away this summer of a heart complication,” said Michael Beattie, owner of Tap House. “The little side competition with our friends at Déjà vu was a great opportunity to poke a bit of fun at each other and help drive business to both spots! Looks like they might be coming for us next year though!”
Funds raised will help United Way support food insecurity programs across the three communities, programs like Hope House, the East Wellington Community Services Food Bank and the Orangeville Food Bank.
“As many of our neighbours, friends and family are struggling to put food on their tables, we are grateful to the community for their support. But the fact is, we need every dollar to continue to help make a difference in our communities. If you have the capacity to give to the United Way campaign this year, or even give a little bit more, every donation will ensure no one in our community has to face challenges alone,” said Banda.
Donations to United Way are accepted online, by phone at (519) 821-0571 or in person at the United Way office (85 Westmount Road, Guelph). Donations, as always, will stay 100% local.
Now, the only question that remains is – who will be back to battle again for the 2nd annual NovemBurger in 2025?
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