NEW ORLEANS – This May, in celebration of National Barbecue Month, Hogs for the Cause is launching the first‑ever national Trail of Barbecue, rallying restaurants and communities across the country to support families with children battling cancer. Through featured menu items, round‑up campaigns, backyard fundraisers, and direct donations, Hogs for the Cause invites Americans everywhere to turn their love of barbecue into meaningful impact.
The Trail of Barbecue has quickly grown into a coast‑to‑coast movement. Restaurants in 12 states have already committed to participating, including Home Team BBQ in South Carolina; Blue Oak BBQ in Louisiana and Alabama; Wright’s Barbecue in Arkansas; Das BBQ in Georgia; The Shed in Mississippi; and Sugarfire Smokehouse in Missouri, along with additional trail supporters in Connecticut, Texas, Illinois, Tennessee, and Colorado. From small‑town smokehouses to nationally recognized destinations, each partner helps fuel Hogs’ mission to support families navigating the emotional and financial burdens of pediatric cancer. For an updated list of participating restaurants visit trailofbarbecue.org.
“As the Trail expands nationwide, so does our ability to meet families where they are,” said Becker Hall, co‑founder and CEO of Hogs for the Cause. “Barbecue has always been about community. When someone orders a plate of ribs or rounds up at the register, that simple act becomes direct support for a family going through the hardest moment of their lives. The response from restaurants across the country shows just how powerful that connection can be.”
While the Trail now spans the U.S., Texas has emerged as a major early focus, with recent and upcoming Hogs investments totaling $3.5 million to strengthen pediatric cancer care statewide. Earlier this year, Hogs announced a $2 million commitment to Children’s Medical Center Plano to expand access to specialized oncology care in North Texas. In Central Texas, a $500,000 donation to Dell Children’s Medical Center is funding the hospital’s first PET scanner, bringing advanced imaging closer to home for families. Most recently, Hogs committed $1 million to Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center in Houston, further expanding its footprint and impact.
Across all participating states, the Trail of Barbecue offers diners simple ways to give back. Whether rounding up at the register, ordering a featured dish that donates a portion of proceeds, or hosting a backyard fundraiser, every meal helps fund hospital programs, family housing, and direct financial assistance for families facing pediatric cancer.
“As long‑time supporters of Hogs for the Cause, we’ve always believed barbecue is about community – bringing people together and giving back,” said Grant Pinkerton, founder of Pinkerton’s Barbecue. “If we can serve great food while helping families going through something incredibly difficult, that’s something we’re proud to be part of.”
Since 2009, Hogs for the Cause has distributed more than $18 million nationwide, including over $3 million in direct grants to more than 2,300 families. While its New Orleans‑based barbecue and music festival fuels the mission, the organization’s impact now extends far beyond – driven by partnerships with restaurants and communities across the country.
A $1 million commitment in 2023 to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Upstate was allocated to build a new cancer and blood disorders unit. Dr. Robin LaCroix, Medical Director at Children’s Hospital, said, “Hogs for the Cause’s visionary $1 million gift serves as an inspiring example of how private philanthropy can transform healthcare and bring hope to countless families in need. This gift is a testament to the remarkable generosity and dedication of the Hogs for Cause organization and its CEO, Becker Hall. We are grateful to them and our community for the incredible support and belief in our mission.”
The impact of Hogs for the Cause has extended well beyond New Orleans, with the opening of additional Hogs Houses serving families of pediatric patients across the Gulf South. A second Hogs House opened in 2024 at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, continuing the organization’s mission to provide free, on‑campus housing for families facing extended hospital stays. Most recently, Hogs for the Cause announced a third Hogs House at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida—the organization’s first expansion outside Louisiana. Funded by a $1 million donation, the St. Petersburg Hogs House is a renovation of existing apartments into family housing designed to ease the financial and emotional burden for families while their children receive long‑term care.
This May, Americans are encouraged to follow the Trail, dine with purpose, and support families in their own backyards. For a full list of participating restaurants or to learn more, visit trailofbarbecue.org.