Money overflowed from a glass fish bowl Sunday instead of a cash register at Qdoba Mexican Grill.
Qdoba, 1127 E. Grand River Ave., hosted its Winter Festival Charity Event 2002 from noon to 8 p.m., raising $2,000 for the American Cancer Society.
MSU students, East Lansing residents and children waited in a line that wove around the side of the building to receive as much free food as they could eat from the normal menu.
Representatives from the American Cancer Society accepted donations at the end of the line and handed out information on future fund-raisers. The event also had drawings to win Super Bowl catering packages and burritos for a year.
Tony Hoffman, a mathematics senior, went to the restaurant twice on Sunday despite the length of the line.
“The line was long the first time I was here too, but it only took about 15 minutes to get my food,” he said.
Qdoba is a Mexican restaurant chain founded in 1995. It now has 61 locations across the country including the local Qdoba, which opened in August.
This is the first time for the event, but Qdoba Marketing Associate Meghan Holefka said she hopes to do it again.
“I think it’s been a great turnout,” she said.
The money collected will be used for cancer research, education, advocacy efforts and patient service, American Cancer Society Community Development Director Stephanie Rigler said.
“I think it is going really well,” Rigler said. “We are appreciative of everything people give.”
She said that most people donated between $1 and $20.
Lyndsay Ruell, a pre-veterinary medicine sophomore said she has participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and planned on donating money at Qdoba.
“It’s a cause that everyone can relate to because so many people are affected by cancer,” she said.
Meredith Marten, an anthropology and communication senior, said she planned on donating as well.
“You always get more money when you ask for donations instead of a set price,” she said.
The crowd was filled with frequent customers and some first-timers.
“A lot of people who have never been here will probably check it out and come here more often after this event,” said Jennifer Bartholomew, a history junior.
Holefka agreed.
“One of our goals was to attract students, and I think we did that today,” she said. “This was a good way to get our product out and help the community out at the same time.”
