Community Initiatives
McDonald's of South and Central Texas is committed to making a difference in our communities.
Ronald McDonald House Charities®
Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) is a global charity with local Chapters all over the world. In the South and Central Texas area, this includes Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas, Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Texas, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Temple. Locally, customers visiting McDonald’s can donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities by choosing to round up their check to the nearest dollar through Round-Up for RMHC.
Each February, local McDonald’s restaurants across South and Central Texas hold a Share the Love fundraiser to support all four local RMHC Chapters in their mission of keeping families close while their children receive medical care nearby.
Since 2016, local McDonald’s restaurants across San Antonio have designed and sold medals as part of the city’s annual Fiesta Celebration. During that time, more than $230,000 has been raised for RMHC of San Antonio to support their mission of keeping families close while an ill or injured child receives medical care.
100 Clubs
On Good Friday, McDonald’s restaurants across South and Central Texas hold a fundraiser to support local 100 Club and End of Watch Relief Foundation chapters in their mission to provide financial support to family members of first responders who have been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. The fundraiser takes place on Good Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1 p.m., and 10% of lunch sales will benefit 10 chapters: The 100 Club, The 100 Club of Central Texas, The 100 Club of Comal County, 100 Club of Corpus Christi, 100 Club of the Heart of Texas, Hill Country 100 Club, 100 Club of Kendall County, 100 Club of Gillespie County, 100 Club of San Antonio and the End of Watch Relief Foundation.
Veterans
On Veterans Day, McDonald’s of South and Central Texas honor military servicemen and servicewomen with free breakfast at McDonald’s restaurants throughout the region. Veterans and current military service members are invited to enjoy one free meal by showing their Military ID at a participating restaurant.
Education
McDonald’s provides educational opportunities to employees through its Archways to Opportunity program. The program includes English-language classes, tuition assistance, 100% tuition coverage through University partnerships, and the opportunity to earn your GED.
Additionally, the McDonald's HACER National Scholarship Program offers scholarships to outstanding Hispanic students from all over the country, and continues to provide educational opportunities to help narrow the gap that exists for Hispanic college-bound students, further reinforcing McDonald’s long-standing commitment to feeding and fostering the diverse communities it serves. McDonald’s has partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to create the Black & Positively Golden Scholarship Program, which supports bright young minds headed to the nation’s HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities). McDonald’s also partners with APIA Scholars to offer scholarships to APIA students pursuing postsecondary education.
Supporting students doesn’t end there. McDonald’s restaurants in the greater Austin area collaborate with Austin Community College to develop a scholarship that could set a student’s career in motion. High school graduates who plan on attending Austin Community College are invited to apply for the Austin Community College McDonald’s of Central Texas Scholarship. The grant offers up to $1,000 per student and not limited to Austin residents, anyone living in the surrounding areas may apply. Since 2009, more than $140,000 has been awarded to local students.
Local Community Events
McDonald’s Owner/Operators across South and Central Texas are active participants in their communities throughout the year. Local involvement includes: holding McTeacher’s Nights to raise funds for local schools; hosting Coffee with a Cop events where residents and law enforcement officers can have open dialogue; and sponsoring community events like the Washington's Birthday Celebration (WBCA) Carnival in Laredo, TX each February, and the McAllen Holiday Parade in the Rio Grande Valley each December.
