Graciela Clancy is excited to dive into a slice of pizza Thursday, June 1, before ice skating at the Pizza with a Purpose event at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township. Zach Petroff/Butler Eagle

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.”