H-E-B, Pappas Restaurants hold spring campaigns

Companies aid MD Anderson programs by reaching out to customers through community fundraisers

BY Michele Rainford

Pappas Restaurants employee Joseph Perez of Houston displays his End Cancer marketing campaign badge featuring a Children’s Art Project floral design. Image credit: Courtesy of Pappas Restaurants

H-E-B and Pappas Restaurants held their sixth annual End Cancer marketing campaigns for MD Anderson in the spring. Customers at H-E-B, Central Market and Mi Tienda grocery stores across Texas had the opportunity to donate $1, $3 or $5 at checkout registers March 3-April 13. Guests at Pappas Restaurants could donate March 17-24.

The Pappas Restaurants campaign, which matched every donation up to $50,000, included tabletop coasters and restaurant staff badges featuring the MD Anderson logo and a Children’s Art Project floral design.

Both companies have continued to support the institution, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During these unprecedented times, we are reminded that the fight to end cancer does not take a break,” says Winell Herron, group vice president for Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs at H-E-B. Herron also serves on the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors. “Along with our ongoing support, H-E-B is proud to invite our customers to join us in supporting MD Anderson’s unrelenting commitment to Making Cancer History®.”

San Antonio-based H-E-B traditionally held its campaign in the fall but shifted it to the spring at its 400 stores. Campaign funds totaling more than $1.2 million support MD Anderson research, education and prevention programs, including our Partnership for Careers in Cancer Science and Medicine program. Donations made in the San Antonio area are shared with UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partner member of MD Anderson Cancer Network®.

“At Pappas, we believe in taking care of people, and one way we do that is by giving back to our local communities,” says Christina Pappas, director of marketing at Pappas Restaurants. “MD Anderson Cancer Center is an incredible institution dedicated to saving lives, and we are proud to support them in this mission with our annual in-store End Cancer campaign. Together, we believe we can make a difference.”

The Pappas Restaurants campaign started as a Houston-area fundraising initiative and has expanded nationwide to nearly 100 restaurants in eight states. Since 2015, the campaign has raised nearly $1 million to support MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer through customer donations and restaurant matching funds.