La Casa de Don Pedro, a community-based, social services nonprofit organization, will host “Burgers and Brew Week,” a digital and interactive celebration promoting northern New Jersey restaurants and breweries, from Sept. 21 – 27, 2020. The organization now seeks sponsors to support the event, as well as local and black-owned restaurants and breweries to be showcased throughout the week.

A portion of the funds raised by sponsors will directly support La Casa’s COVID-19 food relief efforts, which provide thousands of pounds of fresh produce, meals and supermarket gift cards to more than 500 food-insecure families in Newark, N.J.

“We are excited to continue this lively annual event, but with another meaningful addition this year: supporting local businesses amid COVID-19 and keeping our community safe,” said Raymond Ocasio, Executive Director of La Casa de Don Pedro. “Our organization proudly operates as a means of support for Greater Newark, N.J.’s families and organizes numerous charitable events to pool resources into the region’s underserved communities.”

Sponsors will benefit from promotional opportunities scheduled throughout the week and via the organization’s social media channels. Sponsors will also be able to highlight and drive business to many local restaurants impacted by COVID-19, organizers added. Burgers and Brew Week is a modified continuation of La Casa’s annual Burgers and Brew event, a popular fundraiser held every September at McLoone’s Boathouse in West Orange, N.J.

Sponsors as of Aug. 17 include Donnelly Construction, JP Morgan Chase & Co, M&T Bank, Prudential Financial, PSE&G and Valley Bank (Premier Gold); McCarter & English, LLP (Bronze); Horizon NJ Health and Violet PR (Friend); LPL Financial (Fall Equinox); Dawn Gammon (Sunset); The Basile Family, Bayshore Recycling, Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit and Julio Colon (Dusk).

Food and drink partners include The Fox and Falcon, ONEHope Wine, Montclair Brewery, Four City Brewing Company, Café Moso, Bareburger, Sandwiches Unlimited, Coolvines, Hamburgao, Hackensack Brewing, Barcade Newark, Bovine Burgers and Nubian Flavor Restaurant.

Featured restaurants and chefs throughout the program include South Orange, N.J.-based restaurant and bar, The Fox and Falcon, featuring Owner David Massoni and Head Chef Rubi Felix, who will highlight their renowned cheeseburger and vegetarian falafel burger. For each purchase of the Fox and Falcon’s featured burgers, the restaurant has pledged a donation of $5 to La Casa’s COVID-19 food relief initiative.

ONEHope Wine will donate 10% of its sales through the end of September to La Casa when customers purchase via its unique event link.

Montclair Brewery will also be donating a portion of their sales from all stouts and IPAs purchased on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of that week.

La Casa Staff Member, Sandra Fernandez, who hosts weekly virtual cooking classes, “Live with Ms. Fernandez’” on La Casa’s Family Success Centers’ Facebook Live, will also host a program. 

Pertinent updates, including a list of selected restaurants and virtual cooking experiences, will be shared on Burgers and Brew Week’s Facebook Group and on La Casa’s dedicated Burgers and Brew Week webpage.  

For more information on the upcoming event, contact Elgin Cintron, communications and development specialist at La Casa de Don Pedro, by emailing: info@lacasanwk.org.

To become a sponsor for Burgers and Brew Week or to learn more about restaurant and brewery partnership opportunities, visit lacasanwk.org.