Local 7-Eleven® stores are inviting residents to help put food on the tables of their less fortunate neighbors through its “pay-it-forward” with pizza campaign. During the three days leading up to Thanksgiving customers can donate a pizza, or several, for just $5.55 each. The campaign runs from Monday, Nov. 24, through Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 300 7-Eleven stores in a four-state area that sell pizza and other hot foods.
Pizzas purchased at 7-Elevens in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties will be sent to the Food Bank of Western New York. There are 87 7-Elevens participating in the “pay-it-forward” with pizza campaign.
“This has really become a great partnership with 7-Eleven. We will distribute the donated pizzas to the youth center programs we serve. Many of the kids who rely on the services of the Food Bank, rarely get to eat a fresh, hot pizza. This will be a wonderful treat,” said Marylou Barowiak, president and CEO, Food Bank of Western New York. “I’d like to say ‘thank you,’ in advance to all those who will make this generous donation.”
In an earlier 7-Eleven pizza donation, more than 3,600 pizzas were donated to Food Bank programs. It’s expected pizzas donated this week will be distributed the first week of December.
“There are going to be a lot of happy, smiling kids when we serve up these pizzas,” Borowiak said.
“Thanksgiving is a holiday when many of us stop and give thanks for what we have,” said Darrin Stafford, 7-Eleven zone leader for 600 stores in Michigan, Ohio, Western New York, greater Pittsburgh and parts of West Virginia. “For too many families in the region, food is scarce, an especially sad fact at a time of year when many holiday celebrations revolve around food. The pay-it-forward pizza program offers a quick and easy way for people to treat a needy family to a hot meal their children will love.”
While 7-Eleven’s pizzas are typically baked at the store and served hot to customers, the donated pizzas will be kept frozen until recipient families or organizations choose to prepare them.
A special display complete with pizza boxes and a colorful sign communicates the pay-it-forward campaign in the participating 7-Eleven stores that offer hot foods like fresh-baked pizza, chicken tenders and wings. Participants can sign a pizza donation card that will be displayed in the store.
Shoppers at 7-Eleven stores that do not sell hot pizza can still help. The retailer is holding a national “banana benevolence” campaign that ends Dec. 2. To participate, customers can purchase two Del Monte bananas for $1 that will be donated to Feeding America and distributed through its member food banks to local families in need.
Also, 7-Eleven customers can make a financial donation to fight hunger at collection canisters located by the stores’ cash registers.