Story and photos by Olivia Bosma

The fourth annual Craft Cares Campaign, established by the Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, is in the books as a great success. Over the course of this fundraising campaign, which began on January 1 and ended on February 28, 2022, $12,246 was raised for local charities.

During the Craft Cares campaign, $0.50 of every Sleeping Giant Brewery Company product sold at all participating licensee locations, was donated directly to the charity of their choice. “We are really really pleased with how this campaign turned out,” says Andrea Mulligan, CEO and co-founder of the brewery. “With all of the restrictions happening in January, we decided to extend the length of the campaign to the end of February, and that last little push with the reopening was wonderful. So, we are absolutely thrilled to have raised as much as we did this year.”

Each of the 45 licensees was successful during this year’s campaign. However, there were three fundraisers who made a great impact for the charities of their choice. The top three fundraisers were Loch Lomond, raising $1,134 for PRO Kids; in second was Nomad by Pinetree Catering, who raised $852 for Roots to Harvest; and in third was Mount Baldy, who raised $672 also for Roots to Harvest.

“There is something really special about Thunder Bay. The people here just have such big hearts and a desire to support local,” says Mulligan. “Especially during the last couple of years, the need to support your community is so important, and we can really see that love and support here today.”

With this year’s campaign ending on such a successful note, hopes are already high for next year’s campaign. However, for now, the members at the brewery are celebrating their win. Let’s raise a glass and toast to helping our community by supporting local.