The Del Papa Distributing Story: How Corporate Community Investment Builds Trust 

“A good name is better than money.” 

— Omero Del Papa, Founder of Del Papa Distributing

In 1900, Omero Del Papa chose to believe in Galveston’s future after one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history devastated the city. He opened a small grocery store, built a name people could trust, and carried forward a simple belief: “A good name is better than money.” More than a century later, Del Papa Distributing has grown into a 17-county Gulf Coast business rooted in relationships, service, and community investment. For today’s corporate leaders, its story offers a powerful reminder: lasting reputation is not built through transactions—it is earned through consistent, meaningful action. 

For corporate social responsibility (CSR) decision-makers, Del Papa’s story offers more than a look back. It shows how a company can turn founding values into a corporate community investment strategy that supports long-term planning, employee engagement, local trust, and measurable impact. 

Persevering Through the Storm 

Del Papa Distributing’s values were shaped in moments when character mattered most. In 1910, Omero Del Papa transformed his successful retail grocery store into a wholesale business, with beer becoming a key part of the company’s growth. But when the temperance movement led to the Prohibition era, Omero made a choice that would define the company’s culture for generations. Rather than compromise his integrity in the illegal liquor trade, he liquidated the business, protected his good name, and moved his family back to Italy. 

Even while he was away, Omero never stopped thinking of Texas as home. By 1930, he returned to Galveston and purchased a large wholesale firm with the same goal that had guided him from the beginning: build a name people could trust. Years later, reflecting on how he rebuilt, he said, “Well, that was all I had. But it was all I needed. People remembered. My friends remembered. And I started back—and succeeded.” 

By 1937, the Italian immigrant who once worked for a dime a day owned one of the largest wholesale companies in Galveston. What carried Del Papa through Prohibition, war, and local hardship was more than a business model. It was an ethos shaped by trust, resilience, and the belief that relationships must be earned over time. 

For corporate community investors, Del Papa’s story shows how a company’s earliest values can become a lasting framework for philanthropy, employee engagement, and community trust. 

Corporate Philanthropy as a Strategic Investment 

Del Papa Distributing’s community investment strategy is focused, intentional, and measurable and reflects a long-standing commitment to the vitality of Gulf Coast communities. With a strategic corporate giving focus on education, health, and disaster response, the company supports causes that strengthen both people and place.  

Examples of Community Investments

• Education: Scholarships, including $215,000 donated to higher education institutions across its 17-county marketing territory as part of its 100th anniversary celebration, as well as an endowed nursing scholarship at Galveston College.

• Health: Alzheimer’s research funding, including a 2016 gift to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston establishing the Lawrence J. Del Papa Distinguished Chair in Neurodegenerative Disease Research with a special focus on Alzheimer’s disease. 

• Disaster Response: Rapid relief and long-term recovery support following the Texas City Disaster in 1947 and recovery efforts after Hurricanes Carla, Alicia, Rita, Ike, and Harvey. 

Del Papa Distributing recognized the value of making targeted investments that strengthen local ecosystems long before strategic corporate giving became the norm. For business leaders, this alignment ensures that philanthropy is not only generous, but also effective and sustainable.  

Del Papa’s history shows a core principle of community impact investment: build deep, long-term relationships before disaster strikes. 

Scaling Impact Through Strategic Philanthropy Tools 

In 2003, Del Papa established a corporate donor advised fund with Greater Houston Community Foundation as one of the Community Foundation’s first corporate donors. Since this relationship was established with the Community Foundation, Del Papa has awarded almost $8 million through its fund to organizations that matter most to the communities in which it operates, with a strong footprint across the Texas Gulf Coast. 

Jeff Wheeler, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Relations at Del Papa shared, “For more than two decades, the Community Foundation has given the Del Papa family and organization a trusted infrastructure to grow its giving. It’s clear that our community impact is important to who we are as an organization, but having guided expertise and a formalized process allows us to focus on delivering product to our customers without sacrificing giving.” Its support from the Community Foundation helps Del Papa maintain focus, adapt to changing community needs, and most importantly, invest in the organizations that help to keep Gulf Coast communities strong. 

For a company with deep roots across the Texas Gulf Coast, flexibility matters. Its corporate donor advised fund benefits allow Del Papa to plan annual corporate philanthropy, support trusted organizations over time, and respond quickly through disaster relief during hurricanes, local disasters, and other moments when communities need immediate help. Today, over 22 years later, Del Papa is the Community Foundation’s oldest active corporate donor advised fund relationship, using a flexible charitable giving vehicle to bring structure, continuity, long-term focus, and fast response to its community impact strategy. At Del Papa, being a good corporate citizen is not a visibility effort or a separate initiative—it’s how it does business. 

People Are Key to Success 

Del Papa Distributing’s culture reinforces its approach to corporate community investment. As a family business, the company has built an environment where employees are connected to one another, proud of the work they do, and encouraged to serve the communities where they live and work. Lawrence Del Papa, Omero’s son who became president of the company in 1983, once said, “There’s more to the business than selling beer. Being a good and conscientious corporate citizen is high on our list of priorities as an organization.” 

Del Papa’s commitment to its communities starts with its people. With approximately 350 employees across its territories, Del Papa fosters a culture of service, encouraging employees to give back to the communities they call home. Team members regularly participate in employee volunteer programs such as sponsored Meals on Wheels routes, holiday toy drives, walks to help end Alzheimer’s disease, beach cleanups, and other local volunteer initiatives programs.  

Luis Sanchez, Key Account Sales Consultant at Del Papa shared, “There is a work ethic that this company instills and embraces: we work hard, but we are rewarded. When we do the right thing, we are rewarded…I am so proud of the impact Del Papa Distributing has in the community. I have watched the company invest in our local neighborhoods and I am proud that people are starting to recognize that.” By investing in both its employees and its communities, Del Papa creates a shared sense of purpose that extends well beyond the workplace. 

Del Papa also developed the Community Leader Award in honor of Lawrence J. Del Papa to recognize one employee each year who demonstrates selflessness and dedicated service as a volunteer in their community. The recipient is selected through a competitive process that emphasizes “giving freely and unselfishly of one’s time and talent to strengthen their local community.” In recognition, the company makes a $5,000 donation to a charity designated by the recipient. 

Del Papa’s giving program shows that when companies invest authentically in the community, employee engagement becomes a natural byproduct. Emily Murello, Manager of Talent and Development at Del Papa and the 2026 Community Leader Award recipient, shared, “One of my favorite things about working at Del Papa is that our communities always come first. Giving back isn’t just something we talk about. It’s part of who we are. Seeing our company supporting local organizations and events, encouraging employees to get involved, and truly caring about making a difference is pretty amazing. Not many companies make community involvement such a big part of their culture, and I’m proud to work for a company that does just that every day.” 

What Corporate Leaders Can Learn 

Del Papa’s story offers a proven framework for companies looking to elevate their corporate community investment strategy: 

• Lead with values: Define your purpose beyond profit. 
• Focus your giving: Invest in areas where you can make measurable impact. 
• Use strategic tools: Leverage a philanthropic partner like Greater Houston Community Foundation for scalability. 
• Engage employees: Your employees are some of your strongest advocates for authentic community impact. 
• Commit long-term: Build relationships that last beyond a single grant. 

The Bottom Line 

Omero Del Papa was right: a good name is more valuable than money. More than 100 years later, his philosophy continues to deliver returns, not only in business success, but also in stronger, more resilient communities. 

For corporate leaders, the lesson is clear: a strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) begins with values, becomes stronger through structure, and grows more meaningful when employees and community organizations are engaged for the long term.  

Greater Houston Community Foundation is honored to be trusted by over 120 corporations to execute their strategic giving programs that reflect their values, engage employees, and strengthen the communities they serve. The Community Foundation does this through the following: 

• Corporate Donor Advised Funds: A flexible, tax-efficient giving solution that integrates seamlessly with your financial and philanthropic strategy so you can manage giving with further clarity and control. 

• Strategic Advising & Consulting: Our philanthropic advisors help your team identify high-impact opportunities and ensure your corporate giving reflects your company’s values and priorities.   

• Matching Gift Program: Amplify employee generosity while reinforcing your company’s commitment to purpose.  

• Employee Giving Programs: Offer simple, flexible ways for employees to support their communities. 

• Corporate Scholarship Funds: Invest in education and build a stronger future workforce.  

• Employee Disaster Relief Funds: Quickly support employees and communities impacted by natural disasters without the administrative burden.  

Ready to Strengthen Your Impact? 

Whether you’re building a giving strategy, looking to enhance employee engagement, or preparing for moments of need, Greater Houston Community Foundation is ready to help support your corporate philanthropy program. Contact Stephanie Blair, Senior Director of Corporate Relations to explore how your company can build, strengthen, or streamline a corporate community investment strategy that will endure. 

More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation: 

• How Does Charity Help With Taxes?
• The ROI of Smart Giving: Strategic Philanthropy for Business Owners, Families, & Advisors
• How to Donate Shares of Privately Held Companies
• How to Donate Business Interests Strategically 
• How Do Community Foundations Work? Unlocking the Power of Community

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