LAROSA’S KICKS OFF “FEED OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED” PARTNERSHIP WITH FREESTORE FOODBANK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A CRITICAL CALL-TO-ACTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Unprecedented Need for Local Food Assistance Exists Due to Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic
CINCINNATI, OH – November 16, 2020 – This year, more than any year in history, LaRosa’s and The Freestore Foodbank are asking everyone in Greater Cincinnati to help local families get the food they so desperately need this holiday season through LaRosa’s “Feed Our Neighbors in Need” program. Since March, the Freestore Foodbank has been overwhelmed by requests for food, and estimates that it will distribute 10 million more meals in 2020 than it did in 2019, largely due to the effects of the novel coronavirus. Through Buddy Card sales at all Greater Cincinnati LaRosa’s Family Pizzerias, LaRosa’s will contribute $ 5 to Freestore Foodbank from all $ 10 Buddy Cards purchased by Guests from November 23 through December 31, 2020.
“Cincinnati’s need for food has increased dramatically as people have been out of work due to COVID-19. And food donations from grocers have decreased due to less excess food donations as demand for groceries has increased and supply chains have been disrupted”, said Kurt Reiber, Freestore Foodbank’s Executive Director. “Additionally, Cincinnati’s robust restaurant industry has been severely impacted resulting in decreased donations from restaurants and simultaneously created a greater need as restaurant personnel are also out of work”, he continued. Freestore Foodbank is a vital community partner that tirelessly meets local neighbors where they are with food, connection and hope. “We are acutely aware of the impact of the novel coronavirus on the restaurant industry, but we also know that it is more important than ever to continue giving back to the people who need our support most – in the same way that our Guests helped through participating in our Team Member Relief Fund earlier this year ”, said Michael LaRosa, CEO, LaRosa’s Inc. Through holiday Buddy Card sales in 2019, LaRosa’s contributed over 160,000 meals for those in need in partnership with Freestore Foodbank.
The $ 10 Buddy Card features 14 ‘buy-one large pizza and get a large cheese pizza free’ offers for pick up and dine in, and is valid for a year. Guests and the community-at-large can buy Buddy Cards at LaRosa’s pizzerias in person, or Guests can add a Buddy Card to an order through the LaRosa’s app, at larosas.com or by calling 513-347-1111 or 1-888-LAROSAS. LaRosa’s will even bring a newly-purchased card along with a delivery order. At $ 10, the Buddy Card is the perfect holiday gift idea or stocking stuffer that helps support our neighbors in need. Buddy Cards can be purchased at any LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana. For a full list of locations, go to http://www.larosas.com/find/.
About LaRosa’s
LaRosa’s was founded in 1954 on Cincinnati’s West Side by Buddy LaRosa. It is now a $167 million restaurant company with 64 pizzerias serving neighborhoods in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. To learn more about LaRosa’s, go to http://www.larosas.com.
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