News

Pizza brands step up charitable initiatives for National Pizza Month

October 3, 2014

To celebrate National Pizza Month throughout October, a number of American Pizza Community members are hosting charitable fundraisers.

"Our indU.S.try is proud of its deeply-connected ties to local communities," APC Chair Lynn M. Liddle said in a news release. "Many pizza shops are owned by local families who give back to their communities throughout the year through local sports and youth club sponsorships and charitable giveaways. We encourage all pizza companies to join the APC in these charitable efforts throughout National Pizza Month."

Philanthropic initiatives from members include:

• Domino's Pizza teamed up with nonprofit organization Girls on the Run, which is a curriculum-based program that provides pre-adolescent girls with tools to "embrace their individual strengths and successfully navigate life experiences."
• Figaro's Pizza outlets, Pizza Schmizza and Schmizza Pub & Grub restaurants, and Nick-N-Willy's in Grand Junction, Colorado, have supported H.E.L.P. the Charity (Helping Education with Love and Pizza) since it was created in 2010.  H.E.L.P the Charity is a 501c3 organization that provides grants to U.S.-based, nonprofit, tax-exempt schools and other entities to support educational programs through its grant programs.  To date, nearly $65,000 in grants has been awarded to more than 300 programs, according to the release.
• Godfather's Pizza has been a sponsor of Boys Town for 10 years. Founded by Father Edward Joseph Flanagan in 1917 while ministering to the homeless on the streets of Omaha, Nebraska, Boys Town gives at-risk children the support they need to overcome their circumstances. Godfather's Pizza provides financial assistance to Boys Town and has increased awareness about the program.
• Throughout October, Hungry Howie's Pizza will be supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the "Love, Hope & Pizza" campaign, whereby all Hungry Howie's Pizza locations will serve pizza in a light pink box with the National Breast Cancer Foundation logo.  Additionally, for every pizza sold the brand will make a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
• Hunt Brothers Pizza supports local charitable organizations through its Community Care-a-Van and Pizza-to-the-Rescue programs. Throughout the past 5 years, Hunt Brothers Pizza has participated in hundreds of events, provided thoU.S.ands of pizzas and volunteered nearly 8,000 employee hours to help youth and religioU.S. organizations, the release said.
• The Little Caesars Love Kitchen is a pizza kitchen on wheels that travels across the U.S. meeting the needs of the hungry, the homeless and disaster survivors. Franchisees and company regional offices donate all food and labor costs for the Love Kitchen servings.  Since its creation in 1985, the Love Kitchen has fed nearly 3 million people in 48 states.
• Papa John's commitment of "Doing the Most Good" on behalf of The Salvation Army raises awareness for TSA's hunger and disaster relief programs, as well as providing meals to local communities. Additionally, 50 Papa John's restaurants across Washington helped Oso mudslide victims by raising $31,556 for the Salvation Army relief fund to help local relief efforts.
• In 2007, Pizza Hut through its parent company Yum! Brands created the World Hunger Relief effort to raise awareness, volunteerism and funds for the United Nations' World Food Programme and other global hunger relief agencies. The brand also supports children's literacy through its Book It! Program, which returned this week. It also raised money - $200,000 – for the Oso mudslide.