August 29th, 2017 — Members of the United States Pizza Team are rallying together to help those in need in the path of Hurricane Harvey. This natural disaster has exceeded all predictions of strength and ferocity, and has displaced tens of thousands of U.S. citizens from their homes. The U.S. Pizza Team wants to help those suffering in this time of need.
Locally, Chicago based Panino's Pizza wtih three locations in Lakeview, Park Ridge and Evanston and Bricks Wood Fired Pizza Cafe R with six locations in the suburbs join 22 USPT members equaling 35 pizzeria locations in dedicating Thursday, Sept. 7 as "Pizza with a Purpose Day". Participating members will donate $2.00 per pizza sold from their establishments for those in need. The team will also be gathering donations through "Slices for Houston". Paper pizza slices depicting customers names to be displayed in their local pizzerias.
All the money raised on Sept. 7th from U.S. Pizza Team members across the country will be donated to the Houston Food Bank to ensure that the money is used locally and can benefit as many needy residents as possible.
Team Director Brian Hernandez says, "This team is the first to give you the shirt off their back in competition, and in life as well. Which is exactly what we are seeing from the citizens in the Houston area and beyond. This is what our team and our country should be about."
The following U.S. Pizza Team members and pizzerias will be dedicating $2.00 per pie from their Sept. 7th sales:
Panino's Pizza ( 3 locations ), Lakeview, Park Ridge and Evanston, IL. - Gino and Lenny Rago, Bruno Brunetti
Flo's Pizzeria locations ( 3 locations ), Grand Rapids, MI. -Dan Uccello
Mellow Mushroom, 2318 Lifestyle Way, Chattanooga, TN. - Bradley Johnson
Mad Mushroom ( 2 locations ), Lafayette, West Lafayette, IN. - Dave Sommers, Rick Wheeler
Dominic's Italian Restaurant, Oceanside, CA. - Tore Trupiano
Samosky's Homestyle Pizzeria, Valley City, OH. - Jason Samosky
Master Pizza, 9735 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, OH. - Michael LaMarca
Gelsosomo's, 11319 Broadway,Crown Point, IN. - Peter Anderson
Marabella Old World Pizza, 1898 Greenville Blvd SE, Greenville, NC. - Massimo Mannino and Salvatore Passalacqua
Bricks Wood Fired Pizza Cafe ( 6 locations ), Northwest Suburbs, IL. - Giovanni Labbate
Dempseys Brewery Restaurant & Pub, Watertown, SD. -Sean Dempsey
The Downtown Cafe, Glen Cove, NY. - John Zozzaro
786, Sun Valley, CA. - Ali Haider
Sinfully Gluten Free, Dayton, OH. - Heather Zook
Caliente Pizza and Draft House ( 3 locations ), Pittsburgh, PA. - Nick Bogacz
The Lamb & The Wolf ( mobile food vendor ), Auburn, CA. - Michael Wolf
Ynot Italian, Virginia Beach, VA. ( 7 locations ) — Anthony Disilvestro, Michael Reyes-Casanova
The Houston Food Bank is currently taking all donations to help the residents affected by this terrible storm. Please send all donations to:
Houston Food Bank
Attn: Donor Services, Natalie Salinas
535 Portwall st.
Houston, TX. 77029
( Make Checks payable to Houston food bank with Harvey '17 Disaster Relief in the subject line )
The U.S. Pizza Team is sponsored by American Baking Systems, Paradise Tomato Kitchen, Gordon Food Service, Grain Craft, California Milk Advisory Board, La Nova, SoFo Foods, Bag Solutions, Fontanini, Marsal & Sons, Lillsun, Lloyd Pans, Pivetti, Presto, and Univex.
For more information about the "Pizza with a Purpose" drive, or the U.S. Pizza Team, please contact Brian Hernandez at 662-234-5481 x129, or by email at brian@pmq.com . View us online at www.uspizzateam.com .
