Bucks from Burgers

Lineups out the door are common at Hambrgr, especially when it comes to the Novemburger famous #HamOnt Brgr that carried on its charitable aspect to support multiple other food focused community organizations after raising $640 for the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton in November 2015. Unfortunately, the lineups of hungry people, young and old, don’t stop on King William Street.

At the time of their inception, food banks were created to help individuals and families address a temporary crisis but it has become a crisis that sees no end in sight. According to information found on their website, Hamilton Food Share identifies that at any given time, 35,000 Hamiltonians experience food insecurity. Hambrgr has been very happy to have raised and donated $360.00, which Hamilton Food Share is able to turn into $1,800.00 worth of food for those in need throughout the community.

Joanne Santucci, Executive Director of Hamilton Food Share, shares her sincere appreciation for the support that the organization receives from donations such as these. “We are grateful for support like this which helps put food on the tables of the people in our community who need it most. For $1 dollar donated, Hamilton Food Share is able to provide $5 in food for our 10 local food banks. One third of local food bank visitors are families with kids who need more help in the summer when the kids are at home from school.”

Immediately following the holidays, a time in the city where many food banks and resources experience a decline in donations, it is important to remember that these contributions are essential to organizations year round. Living Rock Ministries, the only youth-focused food bank in all of Hamilton, also ensures that youth receive access to educational, recreational, informational, social and work programs. These programs address poverty by reducing barriers and by building assets in youth’s lives. In January, with community support and even a special visit from the Living Rock staff and volunteers, the #HamOnt Brgr was able to raise over $300.00 towards their food bank program.

Neighbour to Neighbour has established various Community Food Programs to assist individuals and families in the community when they need it the most. These services include a free grocery store, assisting 1,200 families a month, a Christmas Program, community gardens and kitchens, as well as home delivery for individuals that suffer from serious physical impairments and chronic illness. With donations, such as the $329.00 raised in February, Neighbour to Neighbour will be able to continue providing assistance and programming to those that need it most in the city we all love being part of.

In March, the button jar at 541 Eatery & Exchange was filled to the top with the money raised from the #HamOnt Brgr, 419 buttons to be exact. At 541, you are given the opportunity to purchase buttons for $1.00 in addition to your coffee or meal and donate them to the button jar, which provides accessible food options to those in need of a hot, nutritious meal.

Through a conversation with Sue Carr, Director at 541 Eatery & Exchange, we were able to understand more about the passion behind their vision as well as the people that keep the doors open. “We’ll do the work and we’ll provide a place for people to pay it forward. We’ll continue the homework clubs and movie nights and our community garden. Our core staff is very good at what they do and it doesn’t get said enough. It’s more than making a coffee, it’s dealing with the man that’s sleeping on the sidewalk or the kids that come in without their parents and they’re starving. How do you deal with that in a way that is healthy? That’s why we do what we do. As we dream of new ventures, we are also looking to fund them.”

For the month of April, the $508.00 raised from the #HamOnt Brgr went directly to the Mark Preece Family House. The Mark Preece Family House is located close to the Hamilton Health Sciences’ General Hospital site, and until its establishment in 2011, there had been no affordable place for patients’ families to stay near to their bedside. The organization hopes that their program will encourage replication throughout the province and country to support those that need to be close to their family members in times of medical emergencies.