Raising Cane’s donated $5,000 on Feb. 19 to the Hurricane Katrina Student Relief Fund.
The restaurants set up donation boxes and gave the proceeds to the LSU Foundation, which will give money to students in need.
“Our part was easy,” said Todd Graves, CEO of Raising Cane’s. “We just wanted to help.”
Graves said a significant portion of the donations came from the franchise location in Ohio as well as from Cane’s crew members.
Cane’s has supported the relief fund before. The company donated $882 in October.
K.C. White, dean of students, said many students and their families are having financial difficulties, and the relief fund allows students to continue studying at the University.
“This is wonderful,” White said. “There is never enough money for what our students need.”
The hurricane affected Raising Cane’s businesses as well, closing 21 of the 28 stores. The majority have reopened.
Graves said the restaurant chain bounced back quickly; they opened their restaurants in Metairie, Slidell, Covington and Hammond within days of the storm. Cane’s was one of the first restaurants to reopen in Gulfport, Miss.
Graves said he credits the company’s rapid reopening to the spirit of his crew.
Michelle Gieg, Student Government president, said the company plays an important role in the area.
“The sense of community that Raising Cane’s has built speaks for itself,” Gieg said.
White said the LSU Foundation was grateful for the assistance of Raising Cane’s.
“We are very appreciative,” White said. “It is a great testimony for our students.”
 
Contact Justin Fritscher at [email protected]