THUNDER BAY – Sleeping Giant Brewing Company’s Craft Cares Movement is already starting to have an impact.
On Wednesday the brewery announced it will turn over $15,590 as part of the initiative to 61 different charities and non-profit organizations across Ontario, taking the effort through its second installment.
The company donated 50 cents for every Sleeping Giant Brewing Company product sold between New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day at participating outlets. The money was donated to the charity or organization of the licensee’s choice.
“Beer is all about bringing people together. Sleeping Giant Brewing Company is dedicated to supporting our communities where our beer is sold and enjoyed. The Craft Cares movement provides our team with the opportunity to make an impact through our product and give back to local causes that matter the most to our Licensees and customers,” said Sleeping Giant Brewing Company co-founder and CEO, Andrea Mulligan.
“Sleeping Giant Brewing Company strives to nurture a collaborative beer culture while supporting healthier and more vibrant communities. It’s awesome to see so many people, families, children, animals, programs and important causes, benefit from our beer. We are celebrating kegs of happiness today.”
Expanding beyond Thunder Bay, the effort involved 81 locations, from Kapuskasing and Kirkland Lake, to Sault Ste. Marie and Fort Frances.
In 2020, the campaign also included a new brew, Craft Cares Rose. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer was also donated to the movement.
North Bay’s The Moose was the top fundraiser, with $750 being donated to the North Bay Warming Centre.
Loch Lomond’s sales means $739.50 going to PRO Kids, while the Foundry is responsible for donations to the Kurt Martell Family, which the brewery plans to match, making a total contribution of $1,406.
Martell died of cancer in 2017.
“Craft Cares is an awesome initiative created by one of our favourite business partners. The Foundry tries to do anything we can for our friend Kurt Martell, who we lost about three years ago. Anytime we can show our love to his family, we jump at the opportunity,” said Dane Newbold, owner of The Foundry.
Ally Drombolis, a marketing and fundraising assistant at PRO Kids, said the money will go a long way and it’s great to see local companies looking for ways to give back to the community.
“The Craft Cares initiative, and the efforts of the Sleeping Giant Brewing Company staff and its licensees, reinforces what an amazing and generous community we live in. It’s local businesses, supporting local services, and that is so meaningful and important. The funds raised go back into our community to help those in need,” she said.
The Craft Cares fundraiser has collected $26,942 over the past two years and the company is hoping more breweries will join the effort in 2021.
