Burger Wars returns to Greater Sudbury in July

Sudbury Burger Wars 2025 begins, with $3/burger supporting L’Arche Sudbury programs and organizers aiming to top last year’s $26,000.

Sudbury Burger Wars is shifting from August to July this year, with 30 local hospitality businesses set to feature specialty burgers from July 1 to 31. A portion of the proceeds will support L’Arche Sudbury, an organization that provides housing and community programs for people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Burger Wars

The annual fundraiser, launched in 2019 by the late Mitch Spiegel, originally supported NEO Kids. Last year, it redirected funds to L’Arche Sudbury, raising $26,000. Organizers aim to generate at least $35,000 in 2024, with $3 from each burger sold going to the cause.

Gerry Lougheed, a Burger Wars spokesperson, announced a matching donation initiative by the Lougheed Foundation.

“Geoffrey said, ‘Well, you and your grandson (Kiran) have such a great time. We should kind of support that,’” Lougheed said at the launch event on Wednesday, May 28 – National Burger Day.

“So today, he and I decided the first $25,000 will match... We’re hoping to generate in excess of $50,000.”

Hope to build another site

L’Arche Sudbury currently operates three homes and a community participation program. The organization is fundraising for a fourth location – a 28-unit accessible residence on Bancroft Drive, estimated to cost $30 million.

Jennifer Cawley Caruso, board chair of L’Arche Sudbury, said the capital campaign has secured about $2 million so far.

“We need commitment from the provincial government and from the federal government to help us in this endeavour,” she said.

“That’s a work in progress... There’s more than one way to do things and so we’re exploring two or three different ways at the moment.”

For more details, visit SudburyBurgerWars.com.