Slices serve up funds for Inspired Hearts and Hands
CRANBERRY TWP — The smell of freshly melted cheese filled UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex on Thursday night, June 1, as a crowd of hungry people waited to feed not only their stomachs but their souls.
“We know that kids, in the end, are going to benefit from this,” said Mindy Schnitgen, founder and executive director of Inspired Hearts and Hands. “It’s a really soft place in everyboy’s heart here when you know what you’re doing makes a difference.”
Armstrong hosted Pizza with a Purpose to raise proceeds for the nonprofit group, which focuses on children and their families struggling with financial hardship and food insecurity. Attendees were able to purchase a pizza box for $25 and fill it with pizza slices from eight local vendors.
“It’s amazing to see the community that is working so hard to support the effort that we do,” Schnitgen said. “This was an occasion to not only celebrate, but also an opportunity to continue serving the community.”
The profits from the Pizza with a Purpose event benefited Kidz Equipped, a program within Inspired Hearts and Hands that provides students and families with clothing, athletic shoes, food and supplies for the school year.
“Every box sold tonight, meant a new pair of shoes for a child in need,” Schnitgen said.
The event also was a chance for local, family-owned pizzerias to battle it out for a chance to win this year’s Pizza with a Purpose People’s Choice award.
“I think this event showcases not only the generosity of our local mom-and-pop restaurants, but also our great organization that is doing a great cause for those in need,” said Seth Prentice, Armstrong marketing manager and coordinator for the evening’s event. “We all came together for one wonderful evening and we packed the entire Lemieux Sports Complex.”
Previous winner of the People’s Choice award, Training Table, was ready not only to serve the people for a good cause, but defend the title.
“It’s for a good cause, obviously,” said chef Geoff Strong, of Training Table, which is in the Lemieux complex. “Obviously when you’re trying to give to a charity it’s a good thing, but this is our house. We won this competition last time we had this event and we’re here to defend our title.”
Participants were given raffle tickets when they purchased a pizza box to distribute among their favorite pizza joints.
And while friendly competition was evident, Tani Balanca, owner of Tani’s Pizza in Butler, knew this event was about something more.
“It’s not about winning. It’s about serving the Butler community that I’ve been blessed to be a part of for over eight years,” Balanca said. “This community has embraced me and I want to do what I can to help out my fellow neighbors. I’m honored to be a part of this”
However, with all the pizza options, it was a challenge to pick the winner.
“I have no idea which one I like best,” said Tammy Knots, who came to support her local community. “I mean I’m a sucker for a good deep dish, but it’s just too hard to pick one.”
Sarah Lackley and her husband, Ryan, both Armstrong employees volunteered to help out at the event.
“It’s a company initiative called Breaking Bread,” Sarah Lackley said. “This is the goal to seek out the hungry in our communities and this money is going towards funding that in our community.”
Also among the volunteers was state Sen. Elder A. Vogel, R-47th.
“All of Western Pennsylvania is always a very giving area,” Vogel said. “There are great, great people when it comes to community events. All these pizza shops stepped up and brought pizza out here.”
The event was a huge hit, setting an all-time record of pizza boxs sold.
“Not only did people come out and support us but we sold 88 boxes of pizza,” Schnitgen said “It was unreal, but beyond that we made relationships and people learned about our program.”
