Members of the United States Pizza Team (USPT) held a multistate fundraising drive Thursday, September 7, to help victims of Hurricane Harvey. Twenty-four USPT members with a total of 37 locations collectively raised $8,739.64 in the “Pizza with a Purpose” fundraiser. The members donated $2 for every pizza sold in their establishments to the Houston Food Bank. The nonprofit was chosen to ensure that the money is used locally and benefits as many needy residents as possible.
“I’m very proud of my team.” USPT coordinator Brian Hernandez said. “The generosity of pizza operators is second to none. The USPT was able to raise a lot of money that will do a lot of good in Texas.”
USPT locations and members that participated in Pizza with a Purpose included:
Panino’s Pizza (3 locations), Wrigleyville, Park Ridge and Evanston, Ill. – Gino and Lenny Rago, Bruno Brunetti
Flo’s Pizzeria (3 locations), Grand Rapids, Mich. -Dan Uccello
Mellow Mushroom, 2318 Lifestyle Way, Chattanooga, Tenn. – Bradley Johnson
Mad Mushroom (2 locations), Lafayette, West Lafayette, Ind. – Dave Sommers, Rick Wheeler
Dominic’s Italian Restaurant, Oceanside, Calif. – Tore Trupiano
Samosky’s Homestyle Pizzeria, Valley City, Ohio – Jason Samosky
Master Pizza, 9735 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, Ohio – Michael LaMarca
Gelsosomo’s, 11319 Broadway,Crown Point, Ind. – Peter Anderson
Marabella Old World Pizza, 1898 Greenville Blvd SE, Greenville, N.C. – Massimo Mannino and Salvatore Passalacqua
Bricks Wood Fired Pizza Café (6 locations), Northwest Suburbs, Ill. – Giovanni Labbate
Dempsey’s Brewery Restaurant & Pub, Watertown, S.D. -Sean Dempsey
The Downtown Café, Glen Cove, N.Y. – John Zozzaro
786°, Sun Valley, Calif. – Ali Haider
Sinfully Gluten Free, Dayton, Ohio – Heather Zook
Caliente Pizza and Draft House (3 locations), Pittsburgh, Pa. – Nick Bogacz
The Lamb & The Wolf (mobile food vendor), Auburn, Calif. – Michael Wolf
Ynot Italian (7 locations), Virginia Beach, Va.– Anthony Disilvestro, Michael Reyes-Casanova
SOL Pie Pizza, North Canton, Ohio – Will Shaw
Palo Mesa Pizza, Arroyo Grande, Calif. – Michael Stevens
