Since the first bottle of Steam Whistle rolled off the line in 2000, the Ontario-based brewers have made a point of engaging the communities they serve. Recently, Theatre Cambrian became one of the organizations they support.
“It's about getting our beers in peoples hands and supporting a great cause — the arts,” said Tim McLaughlin, partnerships manager at the brewery. Supporting community-based arts organizations and festivals is part of the company's mission to become part of the communities they serve.
“We really want to become part of the fabric,” McLaughlin said.
In-kind donations help groups raise their profits and their profile. The choice to help out Theatre Cambrian in Sudbury was an easy one.
“We identified them as leaders in the community,” McLaughlin said. “They were just natural fits.”
Mark Mannisto, executive director of Theatre Cambrian, said the relationship is “the perfect marriage between business and arts.”
“Their commitment to enhancing the cultural mosaic in Sudbury by supporting organizations ... has proven that Steam Whistle is committed to being a contributor to the social fabric of our community,” he said. “We are proud to be working with Steam Whistle.”
The company was also part of this year's Cinéfest as a gala sponsor.
