Hogs for the Cause (Hogs) is a New Orleans based non-profit that provides financial assistance to families across the country with children undergoing treatment for brain cancer. In addition to focusing on pediatric brain cancer, Hogs forms strategic partnerships with hospitals nationwide to aid families with children diagnosed with ailments other than brain cancer. Hogs currently operates as one of the premier sources of funding for pediatric brain cancer outreach services.

In 2009, Becker Hall and Rene Louapre invited a group of friends to a pig roast out at the Fly behind Audubon Zoo to raise money for a boy named Ben Sarrat, Jr. Lil’ Ben had been diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer. Roughly 200 people showed up at the levee that day to watch a pig turn slowly on a spit and to raise money to help Ben’s family. Today, Hogs for the Cause has emerged as one of the largest barbeque competitions and music festivals in the country. New Orleans welcomes over 90 local and regional BBQ masters and the best backyard chefs to compete in numerous categories. Its charitable purpose remains the same: helping families fighting pediatric brain cancer.

What is Hogs for the Cause?

Hogs is a two-day fundraising event at the Uno Lakefront in New Orleans on March 27 through March 28, 2020. The event is driven by a friendly, but very competitive, BBQ competition that attracts more than 90 fundraising teams from all over the country. The competition is similar to most nationally recognized BBQ competitions, which is why some of the most notable american pitmasters participate. Unlike other BBQ competitions, each team is expected to sell their food to the 30,000 plus attendees to help raise money for the cause. In addition to selling food, teams participate in the hotly contested Ben Sarrat Jr. cookoff that focuses on four main categories, ribs, shoulder/butt, whole hog and porkpourri (anything pork-centric). The winner is crowned the Grand Champion and is awarded the highly coveted brass pig trophy. Previous winners have ranged from restaurants, to world renowned pitmasters, to amateurs.

Food and Music: Match Made in Hog Heaven

In addition to the cookoff, another major draw to the festival is the music. Hogs has been extremely successful in booking many up and comers throughout the years from the southern rock, bluegrass, country and americana genres. These bands entertain on three separate sponsored stages throughout the festival.

Some of the musical acts playing this year include: Old Crow Medicine Show, Robert Randolph and the Family Band ft The Soul Rebels and Brandom "Taz" Niederauer, Yola, and many more!

The Fundraisers

One of the key components for participating teams at Hogs is fundraising. Each team is expected to raise money for the cause, through a multitude of channels. Each team is unique, and their fundraising methodologies vary greatly. Most teams fund raise all year long, both locally and nationally. Teams range in size from ten to fifty members, and many teams have their own sponsors and their own non-profit designations. The 2019 event was a record breaking year for team fundraising, with teams accounting for over $2 million raised for the cause.

The Beneficiaries

  • $2,000,000 - Children's Hospital New Orleans

    For development of on-campus housing, “Hogs House,” for families outside the New Orleans region who have a child receiving ongoing healthcare treatment.

  • $1,500,000 - Families

    Hogs has awarded approximately 1000 different grants to families nationwide

  • $750,000 - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA)

    For pediatric oncology patient care. In honor of the donation, a Celebration Area at CHOA was established in Team Foxeria del Sol’s name.

  • $145,000 - Ochsner Hospital for Children

    For the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program, to support the construction of two Stem Cell Recovery rooms, and for the Pediatric Piggy Bank.

  • $75,000 - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite

    For the Cancer Program.

  • $75,000 - Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital

    For the Hogs for the Cause Family and Patient Fund to provide oncology patient families with needs not covered by insurance, but important in the child’s care.

  • $50,000 - Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

    For the Fox Bros Bar-B-Q/Taqueria del Sol Patient Room.

  • $25,000 - Children's Hospital New Orleans

    For the “Hogs for the Cause” Fund.

  • $25,000 - East Tennessee's Children's Hospital

    For the Hogs for the Cause Pediatric Oncology Social Services Fund to provide oncology patient families with needs not covered by insurance, but important in the child’s care.

  • $20,000 - Duke Children's Hospital

    With $10,000 in $500 grants for families of patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation for brain cancer and $10,000 to the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Fund.